[blindkid] Adoption from China

Fri Feb 12 03:06:17 UTC 2010

    Many times the state is unwilling to put labels on children because 
those labels may count against a child when prospective parents are looking 
at them.  Yes, sometimes our hearts may be broken because a child is not 
quite what we wanted, as far as developmental issues go, but when you're 
adopting you must remember that you could just as easily have birthed a 
child with the same problems.  It is kind of nice to be able to pick and 
choose what you want because they're already here, but there will never be 
one who is exactly who you wanted.  Everybody has something about them that 
everyone else could find annoying.  You may have to weigh and consider what 
other disablilities you can handle.  (Didn't work in our case.)  But hey! 
Life isn't fair.  Just let your heart be your guide.  You can't love them 
all but there will be a special one or two just for you if you look.
Be diligent in studying and ask for video--that gives you a better picture 
than paperwork.  We weren't able to see the twins on video.  You are a 
better chance than what they may have right now.
Barbara

A Congress that will always do its work in the dark must have something to 
hide.  The people have spoken, yet they do not listen.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Susan Harper" <sueharper at firstchurchgriswold.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:44 PM
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Adoption from China

> Hi,
>     Sue weighing in on this subject with some prejudice.   There are lots
> of children in the US that need homes with parents who have a lot to offer
> in the way of personal experience with being blind.  That being said,
> usually there are other co-occurring developmental issues which one has to
> be savvy about listening and sifting through lots of developmental and
> medical information.  There are some words that are used like 
> developmental
> delays which can mean a whole host of things as well as the words, "I 
> don't
> know."  So what I would request, and it is required by law at the time of
> adoption, is a full disclosure of all medical and developmental testing. 
> If
> you have questions talk with someone who can help you interpret the
> information, like your pediatrician and a special educator and then you 
> will
> get a better idea of needs.  Are people unscrupulous?  At times
> unfortunately, yes.  They think they are doing a service to the child to
> find a loving home and maybe all that stuff will work out.  Many times it
> does all work out, however, you need to be prepared and willing to accept 
> a
> child if the worst case scenario comes to pass.
>     Make sure you use a reputable licensed Child Placing Agency.  You can
> check with your state's DCF office to see if the agency is licensed and if
> there have ever been any problems.  If you are working out of country,
> again, there has to be a licensed agency in this county and you can check
> with licensing in your state to see if there are issues/concerns.
>     If you adopt a child in this country with medical/developmental needs,
> then their medical costs will be covered or will cover what your medical
> insurance doesn't until they are 18 to 21, depending on the state you 
> adopt
> from.  And believe me those bills can run up fast and that also includes
> adaptive equipment needs.  If you adopt out of country, then you are
> expected to provide for all this yourself.  There may be funds for this 
> that
> I am not aware of to cover this in an international adoption.  Even the 
> best
> of insurances do not cover everything nor does services for the blind. 
> This
> is the practical me speaking, not my heart.  However, practical is 
> necessary
> unless you have unlimited income.
>    With that in mind, by all means help a child with full knowledge of 
> what
> you will need to be prepared for!
> Blessings,
> Sue
>
> On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 11:40 AM, Heather <craney07 at rochester.rr.com> 
> wrote:
>
>> I have always been interested in how one might go about adopting a blind 
>> or
>> VI child from another country, but doing so and being sure that the child 
>> is
>> blind only, without mental retardation could be difficult, especially if 
>> the
>> child is quite young, has been abused or neglected, or if the agency lies 
>> to
>> move the child out of the program.  In your opinion and experience, are
>> there opertunities out there, perhaps with the agency you mentioned, to
>> adopt blind children, for whom blindness is their only disability, or 
>> where
>> the system will be up front about the number, type and degree of special
>> needs?  Adopting is a wonderful thing to do, and I, as a blind parent, of 
>> a
>> blind mother and sighted father, feel that I could offer something 
>> special
>> to a blind child in need of a family, some time in the future. 
>> Thoughts??
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "holly miller" <hollym12 at gmail.com>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" <
>> blindkid at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 2010 10:13 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindkid] Adoption from China
>>
>>
>> I just wanted to jump in to say Hank is adopted from China & has 
>> Albinism.
>>> He was almost 6 years old when he came home (July 2006).
>>> If anyone has questions about the process I'd be happy to chat with you
>>> about it.
>>> The special needs program moves much faster than the "healthy" side of
>>> things, most people can complete the process in a year or less.
>>> There are many boys available, not just girls and a wide range of ages,
>>> sometimes as young as a year.  Older children often have financial
>>> assistance available.  There are kids with varying types of VI/Blindness
>>> but
>>> since Albinism is what's on my radar, I can say there are virtualy 
>>> always
>>> kids with Albinism available.
>>>
>>> Here is the video adoption announcement we sent out
>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNJaZMiT94o
>>>
>>> Holly
>>> aka Hank's mom
>>>
>>> On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 12:25 PM, Deborah Kent Stein <
>>> dkent5817 at worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> I have been asked to post the following announcement.  Please help to
>>>> spread the word to anyone who might be interested.
>>>>
>>>> Debbie
>>>>
>>>> ________
>>>>
>>>> I work for an international adoption agency that primarily places 
>>>> Waiting
>>>> Children (special needs).  On our last visit to China in November, we 
>>>> met
>>>> a
>>>> few children that are visually impaired. I would love to find a home 
>>>> for
>>>> these children. Is there any way that I can submit a notice to spread 
>>>> the
>>>> word?  Or do you have any other suggestions?
>>>>
>>>>   Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>   Lydia Stewart
>>>>   Madison Adoption Associates
>>>>   1009 Woodstream Drive
>>>>   Wilmington, DE 19810
>>>>   302.475.8977
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>>
>>
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