Down Syndrome – Source Down Syndrome Global Foundation Sodiq Ojuroungbe In this report, Sodiq Ojuroungbe writes about the resilience and determination of parents abandoned by their partners to care for children born with congenital abnormalities, emphasising the need for government and society to step up the necessary resources and support systems for nurturing and integration Congenital abnormalities like Down syndrome, autism, cleft lip and palate, pose serious health issues for children in many communities in Nigeria. Multiple operations, continuous medical care, and specialised support are frequently needed, as most with such birth defects are constantly plagued by ill health. Couples occasionally endure difficult paths, but it becomes even more difficult when one partner walks away, leaving the other to care for a child with special needs alone.
Many single parents experience a complex range of emotions as they single-handedly attend to medical demands and the heartbreaking reality of abandonment. Despite these overwhelming circumstances, beautiful, inspiring stories abound of individuals, who against all odds demonstrated an unbroken spirit and unwavering commitment to their children. One such parent is Mary (not her real name), a young mother who thought she had found her happily ever after and looked forward to a great future.
She recalled basking in the euphoria of a newlywed, and being pampered by her husband, John, especially for conceiving the same month they ex.
