[Stormster]

Originally Posted by Sohmakun

hmmm, you bring up a good point Storm, and you are right not everyone can handle a special needs infant but some of these special needs are not as severe as mental retardation. For example drug exposure is not known to cause severe disabilities. In fact, many studies show no difference in children who have been exposed to drugs and those who were healthy but there are still many parents who don't want to adopt these children because of the bad rep they have gotten, especially in the 80's and 90's when the "crack baby" stories dominated the media. I also agree that adoptive parents shouldn't go into special needs adoption unprepared, crossing their fingers for a miracle to happen. I just wish more adoptive parents could see beyond the "horror stories" and just listen to the facts and then decide what's best.

As I'm sure you know, mental Illness does not mean "retardation". Many mentally ill people are among the most brilliant on the planet. Also I really do think many of us know the risks and realities of drug exposure and went on to adopt children who were exposed, not considering them special needs, and know better than to stigmatize them as "crack babies" or whatever. Maybe the general public doesn't realize that drug exposure isn't a life sentence but here on a.com we're a pretty sophisticated bunch!