[redru2004]

Hi Everyone,

I'm dropping in from the Guatemala boards. DH and I are currently going through our first adoption through Guatemala and currently waiting on a referral. We know that we would ultimately like to have 2-3 children and have always assumed that we'd adopt from Guatemala so our kids had their heritage in common, among other things. Recently there has been some talk of US/Guatemala adoption closing in 2007 so we'd like to look into other countries too, and China is definately a place we'd like to know more about in regards to the adoption requirements. I spent my summers in college in Hong Kong and Bejing b/c my parents were living there at the time, and my DH travels to Hong Kong and China at least once a year for work, so we're familiar with the culture. We originally chose Guatemala b/c we were only married for 2 yrs when we started and because I have juvenile diabetes which I know automatically dq's us from some countries. I'm in good health and my diabetes is controlled, but it's still a concern I have. I'd appreciate any feedback I can get. I know there is an age requirement, but I'm 32 and DH is 36 so there's no problem there. Can any of you please advise me as far as the cost and health requirements. I'm just trying to figure out the best thing we can do to ensure our forever family. Thanks in advance!

Amie

[Lissa]

Theword from my China Coordinatoris CCAA is currentlydiscussing tightening up health requirements. There are rumours that means that people who are over 300 lbs will no longer be allowed to adopt from China. This is not yet in force, but since China has no "grandfather clause" many agencies are being far more restrictive in terms of larger sized applicants.

But...I am 315 lbs and I have diabeties which is controlled and I have a beautiful daughter from China who is currently being very cranky cause daddy is trying to wash her face.

I would call and talk to some specific agencies and tell them your concerns. I have a feeling as long as you are stable most agencies will have no problems and I've heard nothing about China discussing limiting dibetics at this time.

(OH almost forgot...cost...around $16,000-$17,000 with travel and government/orphange fees. I also went at an incredibly expensive time of year--during trade fare--so my expenses were steep compared to some others.)

[redru2004]

Thanks so much Lissa! I've had juvenile diabetes now for 24 years and finally have it under control. My weight has fluctuated during adulthood, but since I've started really watching my diabetes excercise has become a very big piece of the puzzle for me, I'm currently 132lbs and plan on staying there. Thanks for the feedback, I'll discuss it with my agency further, I just like to know what other options we might have! I appreciate any feedback we can get!

[Godsdghtr2006]

I find this post very interesting as we are in a bit of similar situation, don't want to go into specifics about it at this point but just wanted to post my opionions and thoughts, and get any feedback from all of you. We are waiting on our I171H and we are having some difficulties because we are dealing w/ other issues, my case manager is concerned that it is going to be a problem, b/c according to her the CCAA is scrutinizing now more than ever before b/c they have an over adundance of ppl wanting to adopt and they are just swamped w/ applications. I was just curious has anybody else been hearing this from their agency as well? I am at the point where I can still switch countries if I want to, and was just wondering if anyone has any information on what is going on w/ the CCAA and if they have heard the same things about the CCAA from their particular agencies dealing w/ specific health issues that might pose a problem w/ getting a referral, or even maybe a citation or something of that nature being on their record. I am very concerned with what she is telling me, especially about the lenghting of the waiting time, I have, as I'm sure many of you have as well, been waiting sooo long, and I just don't want to spend the money and invest the time if I may have a risk of being rejected. I have heard on here (i think) that some1 was rejected recently b/c they were wheelchair bound.
Any advice or feedback on these issues/concerns?

[Lissa]

According to my agency only one person has been turned down in the last year by CCAA (from specifically their agency) for health concerns and they had diabeties, high blood pressure, high cholesteral and were over 300 lbs. They were apparently turned down just a month after I recieved my referal for Lydia. I too am over 300 lbs. have diabeties but I do not have high blood pressure or high cholesteral. (Or any other health concerns for that matter.) So at least as when I got Lydia in October 2005 China was still placing people with medical concerns (including morbid obesity) and from what I understand continue to do so, but they are scrutinizing people with mulitple problems.

[sarahsmom2b]

The discussion about restrictions on prospective parents with multiple health issues worries me. I have multiple health issues, but my very experienced agency believes I am an acceptable parent, and I have been approved by my sw and by USCIS. I should be DTC in two weeks or so. If China starts rejecting parents with health issues, when do you think they would do it? When the dossier is in the review room? Any speculations on how fast they are going with that process right now? Also, do you think parent who are LID would be rejected, or would CCAA require new restrictions on applications?

[Threekids4me]

Hi Sarahsmom2be-

Just bumping this up for you.

While no one really knows what the CCAA will do, I know lots of experienced people here can give you their own perspective. Lissa is always a great resource and maybe she can explain the no "grandfather clause" a little more. (I believe it is based on a few, complicated cases. Lissa- set me straight if I am wrong! )

I am sorry you are worried and I wish I had something really reassuring to tell you.

Hang in there!

-Amy

PS
(I also will be DTC in about two weeks, so when we are both in China at the same time we can laugh about all the worrying we did way back when......)

[Shelley]

Another option is the waiting childrens program. Where you might not be accepted for the nsn's program, like us 5 minor children in the home, the w/c's program is a little more flexible. I returned in Jan with our 4 yo daughter, which made 6 minor children in our home. Just because a child is classified as waitng doesnt mean that they have lots of complicated medical isues. Our daughter was born with 2 thumbs on her right hand. Most issues are minor and/or correctable. They're are infants that are waiting as well as toddlers and older children. The process doesnt take as long as waiting for a referral thru the nsn's program. When we found our daughter on our agencies wiaitng children list, we hadn't started ANY paperwork, but from the time we sent out LOI 6/3/05 to the time we received our TA, 1/11/06 was just over 7 months. I traveled 1/16 and returned home 1/27. Ours took a little longer because we needed a family size waiver. If you're already DTC prior to sending your LOI the wait is even shorter. Sorry to carry on, and to veer off topic, but it is an option where previously there might not have been, or you thought there might not have been. Good luck, Shelley

[sarahsmom2b]

Thanks, Amy and Shelley, for your perspectives!