The story of the Armenian infant born with Down syndrome whose father (a New Zealander) is taking the boy out of the country, has caused a wave of social media chatter. The child’s father says Armenia is not a fit place for raising a special needs child – a claim that has once again raised questions about attitudes in Armenia towards people who are physically and mentally challenged, armenian media reported.

The boy, named Leo, was born January 21 to Samuel Forrest and RuzanBadalyan. His story became international news last week when foreign media reported that Forrest was “forced to choose” between his wife and his child, because Badalyan had disowned the baby.Badalyan filed for divorce a week after Leo was born and Forrest started a fund-raising campaign to collect money to sustain the child’s welfare back in New Zealand.

Meanwhile in Armenia, the much-publicized story has aimed a spotlight at attitudes and perceptions toward those with disabilities.

Prkutyun NGO, center for disabled children aged 16-35 and youth, established in 1999 exists to help families find solutionsto social, educational and health care problems, as well as their complete integration in the society by means of mediation and humanitarian aid.

ArpineAbrahamyan, head of the center said she does nothave any official statistics of how many children are born with Down syndrome in Armenia, however she said that it occurs in about one in 800 births.

“During recent years they check during pregnancy and in case of confirmation of the syndrome, they turn to abortion. Because of this there will be fewer children born like that, but I know that annually 5-6 children are sent to Gyumri orphanage,” Abrahamyan said adding that six children with that syndrome study at their center.

The mother of one of their students, whose 22-year-old son has attended the center for seven years, said that in Armenia,Prkutyun center is the only salvation for her son. The mother (who did not want her name publicized) said that a few days after the child was born they found out that the boy has Down syndrome, and they had never heard about it before.

“After three daughters I finally gave birth to a son, and with this disease, everyone around said to give him away, but both my husband, and my children and I were critically against that idea. Giving him away was excluded. Certainly, it is very difficult to bring them up, and the more they grow up the harder it gets, and I can never judge parents of such children who give them away, but I think that living in a family is the best,” the woman said adding that her son is registered at Avan psychiatric hospital. The family is provided with free medication and receives about $45 a month pension for people with disabilities.

But the woman, a widow, cannot leave her son alone and go to work, and with the little pension money it is simply impossible to sustain themselves. Her only hope is help from relatives.

Nevertheless, more than physical difficulties, the mother says, the hardest thing issociety’s attitude toward her son.

“Our society has not grown enough yet to accept such children. When I take public transportation people look at me strangely. Imagine a parent going out with a son, and everyone around staring; it is very difficult for a parent,” the mother said, adding that the only environment where her son can feel as a complete human is Prkutyun center.

Center headAbrahamyan said that when a child is born with disabilities, parents have to go through several stages, which they do not always overcome with success.

“First of all, the family is shocked, they do not understand why. Next, they have to get used to the idea, that there is such problem in their family. Thirdly, they have to comply with the environment as well. The fourth is the fight for the child, so that it enters the world completely, enters the educational system,” Abrahamyan said.

According to Abrahamyan, in developed countries people with Down syndrome have wide opportunities; they receive education, get jobs, and are fully involved in social life. But she says with regret that Armenian society is not yet ready to accept such children, and the state hardly takes any measures to help.

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