“The idea of adoption was scary…I wasn't sure at first,” Cheryl said. During her second trimester of pregnancy, an ultrasound detected fetal Down syndrome. Already the mother of five children, Cheryl found herself in an awkward place because she knew that she couldn't care for them as well as meet the demands of raising a child with Down syndrome.

Awaiting her baby's arrival, Cheryl acted like most expectant parents-buying new clothes and thinking of baby names. At a friend's suggestion, she chose “Imani,” a Swahili name meaning faith. “I wanted to keep her. I struggled with the idea, but I knew I couldn't give her the best possible life,” recalled Cheryl.

In search of compassionate advice, she contacted Spence-Chapin where social worker Amy Silverman helped her to work through her feelings. Amy assured her that there were many families who would welcome, love and nurture an infant with serious medical needs. Cheryl also consulted the Adoption Resource Center about supportive programs and resources for children with Down syndrome and their parents.

Cheryl finally resolved to make an adoption plan: “I wanted openness, openness, openness…I have to know what's going on in her life. I couldn't just give her to anybody. I wanted a warm, caring, open loving family because she is going to need all that plus.”

Based on Cheryl's desire to have an open adoption and the type of care Imani would require, Merryl in ASAP (A Special Adoption Program) searched for a loving family. Cheryl felt comforted when she met them. “Intuition told me that the adoptive family was warm and caring, and they loved children. I had no doubts.” Although Imani now lives far away, Cheryl is reassured about her well being through frequent phone calls, letters and photographs.