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Letter: Adoption of Down syndrome children is a viable option and should be better known

(Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Four-year-old Ella Warner, left, shares a chip with her three-year-old friend Finn Merkley as Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield talks about legislation that would enact important protections for children who have Down syndrome during a news conference at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City Monday January 22, 2018. Both children, who have Down Syndrome, attended the news conference with their parents Natalie Warner and Justin Merkley. Amber Merkley, Finn's mother, spoke during the event.

Why is adoption only rarely mentioned as an alternative to abortion when an unborn child is believed to have Down syndrome? Organizations such as the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network assist in this painful but life-affirming process. Other private and public resources are available to support birth parents who love their baby, but do not feel they will be able to provide the necessary care. Adoption should be publicized as a viable option.

Gayle Valantine, Salt Lake City