He told ABC News, “They took me in [to] see him and I looked at this guy and I said, he’s beautiful — he’s perfect and I’m absolutely keeping him.” While it may seem strange that NOT keeping Leo was even a consideration, according to Forrest, a native of New Zealand, Armenian hospitals have an unconventional practice.
“What happens when a baby [with Down syndrome] is born here, they will tell you that you don’t have to keep them,” he told ABC News. While Forrest was unwavering in his decision to parent his beloved child, his wife reportedly gave him an ultimatum: give up the child or face a divorce. After Forrest decided to keep Leo, his wife filed for divorce, and Forrest began making plans to return with his newborn son to New Zealand. (His wife confirmed her delivery and divorce to ABC News but wouldn’t comment further on the issue).
Forrest’s situation was unexpected and difficult. He needed to uproot his life, now that his marriage ended just days after becoming a father to his special-needs son. Worried about having the financial ability to support Leo on his own, Samuel started a GoFundMe account, in which he hoped to raise $60,000 to get them through a year of medical care and physical transition. As of midday today, he has raised over $357,000.
