[PoolShark023]

Hi all:

Over the past few years, I have had a couple of minor head and neck medical issues. It started with my thyroid, when my doctor thought I may have hypothyroidism which I have to continually monitor. Now, just this week, I was potentially diagnosed with an inflamed/infected lymph node that is causing a gumball-sized lump in my jaw.

I am interested in going to my birth hospital (Englewood Hospital in New Jersey) and seeing if I can get genetic health information for things I should be looking for now that I have had 2 neck/throat conditions arise. I'm not looking to contact my birth family or find any other information about them if they are not interested.

Does anybody know the process, or what I should expect to bring with me when I go to the hospital this weekend?

Thank you,

Morgan
Born: November 24, 1984
Englewood Hospital, Englewood, NJ
Happily adopted for 23 years

[RavenSong]

Morgan, if you're going to the hospital you were born at with the hopes of obtaining your birthmother's medical history, I am afraid you won't be able to access this information. The laws protecting patient confidentiality as far as medical records go are very, very stringent.

I think your best bet is to contact the adoption agency that handled your adoption. If you explain to them your current medical problems, I'm sure they'll be willing to try to contact your birthmother and ask her for a detailed medical history.

Another option would be to petition the court in the county you were adopted to open the records on grounds of medical necessity.

[Dickons]

Hi Morgan,

I doubt the hospital can help you but I would go there just the same cuz sometimes people 'make mistakes' and give you info anyway. If that does not pan out you can:

*contact the agency (state or private) or lawyer the adoption was processed through to obtain non-identifying info that may contain health info although if it is not current how much value it will be is unknown;

*petition the courts in the county your adoption was finalized in. Your petition will be stronger if your doctor can write a note saying you would benefit...I would assume a note written on his prescription pad would be enough.

*register on the free adoption registry sites looking for your birth family as well as the mail in ISSR registry and any NJ registries relevant to you.

*consider requesting help from search angels (see the search and reunion forum here).

*consider hiring a search agency that specializes in adoption reunions.

The court opened my adoption record in WA because I had cause, note that my mom (adopted) petitioned the court for me. It was a one page list of questions for her to answer about why the file should be opened with room at the bottom for a brief explanation.

Good luck,
Dickons