[NaturalizedCT]

http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/12/22...caa-statemen1t

All the previous mentioned restrictions plus a few more. For example, more than 5 traffic tickets will disqualify you. It also looks like cancer will disqualify you (no surprises there).

The anti-depressent/anxiety drug issue is mentioned twice so it looks like they will hold the line on that one.

I have to say the traffic ticket restriction shocked me. Between that and the anti-depressents, it looks like applications to China will drop significantly (if eeveryone is being honest).

So what's everyones Plan B.

[Synesthesia]

If I had cancer in the past, say, when I was 2 years old and my hand is slightly... not exactly deformed, it's just the last two fingers do not bend completely, would that rule me out?
Or would they allow me to adopt, years from now a child with missing fingers or extra fingers?
It really doesn't effect my day to day existence.
I don't even know what it will be like when I am 30 and married.......

[NaturalizedCT]

I wouldn't be worried about the fingers but have really no idea about the cancer.

BTW The website that posted the CCAA notice is running a poll. 41% of respondents say they don't qualify under the new rules.

[amyfk]

Wow! It sounds like china is getting very very strict. I wonder what that means for only-China adoption agencies? I think soon after the current groups of people adopt, there won't be enough folks left who are qualified to adopt. My prediction(again, just a prediction) is that there will be a surplus of adoptable orphans in China who won't be placed into loving homes.
I dont know about others, but my husband doesn't sound like he's looking to adopt again(even though I was hoping he's on board).
I wish everyone luck with their adoption endeavors and that all the children who need homes find homes. Merry Christmas to all.
Amy K, NJ

[lovemybulldog]

I was pretty irritated at no anti depressants (when they're handed out by trusting docs like candy), the facial deformity rumor and the ambiguous nature of the requirement that parents must both be "healthy" from a country where 75% of men smoke. Now, the official rules are out and parents can't have a limb or digit difference or have recovered from cancer? 5+ traffic violations? That alone will cut the numbers drastically. I know (and defend to some extent) the right for the Chinese government to write their rules as they wish to meet their own social standards, but I'm a little more than mad right now...especially at some of the rules that, in ours and most societies points directly to discrimination...and others that as they read on RQ seem utterly silly.

Going into Christmas day, we'll be having a lot of people asking how it's going...now I either have to lie and tell them fine or drop a bomb on our family and let them know that we may not make the April 30th deadline...One reason might be because of a silly minor arrest and dismissal at 18 that my parents don't know about, another because of a genetic disorder that my doc & I both know won't impact my length of life or ability to parent (but who knows how CCAA will interpret), and another because I've gotten 6 tickets in the past 15 years.

The new rules make me, who I would like to think is... a nurturing, creative, friendly, but admidedly flawed person... less qualified than a person who is an underweight closet drinker who is condesending, quick to temper, but with a clean medical record and no speeding tickets.

I hope an appeal of some kind is made or a call for CCAA to review some of these items on a case by case basis. Yes, there will be a great reduction in wait times, but who will be left for those shorter waits? What about families dreaming of going back for a little sister or to save a waiting child?

With any luck, this time next year, we'll all be writing about the overturning of some restrictions... We call all only hope!

[amyfk]

((((STEPH)))))


Amy K NJ

[KarenInCa]

Originally Posted by lovemybulldog

5+ traffic violations? That alone will cut the numbers drastically. .... and another because I've gotten 6 tickets in the past 15 years.


I hope an appeal of some kind is made or a call for CCAA to review some of these items on a case by case basis.

With any luck, this time next year, we'll all be writing about the overturning of some restrictions... We call all only hope!

"Adoption application will be given consideration on a case by case basis when either the husband or wife has less than 3 criminal records of slight severity with no severe outcomes, and the time for correction of wrong has reached 10 years, or has less than 5 records of traffic law violation with no severe outcomes."

I took this to read that less than 5 traffic law violations would be within the past 10 years (not from the date someone started being eligible to drive), since it's in the same phraise as "3 criminal records within the past 10 years". If that's true, then you might be in good condition with the traffic violations.
But, a more clear translation should be posted from CCAA. It's hard to swallow that there are so many new regulations, but it's the most frustrating to know that new regulations are being sent down the pipeline, but not know the exact translation of small phraises that make a big difference. For me, it's those unclearly written details that make this all so difficult.
As for overturning any regulations, it doesn't seem likely to me. It took them this long to come up with these extra restrictions, since they opened to IA, and in order to get this far, there would have to be serious reasons for defining them. Things could change to become more relaxed, but it would probably be slow and gradual, if at all.

[MissyAmomChina]

Hi Steph,

I'm so sorry you are going through this. The rules are infuriating and very demeaning to prospective parents.

I'm about 99% sure we are bumped out of the program too because I was born with a lazy eye. Though there were several attempts to correct/improve it--nothing worked. Subsequently, I have 20/800 vision (legal blindness is 20/200) in my left eye and 20/20 vision in my right. So the statement about "monocular blindness"--i.e. blindness in one eye, would apply to me.
It's asinine. My life isn't impacted in any way from this. The only restrictions that my doctors told me as a child were--I couldn't be accepted into any of the military acadamies, be a pilot, or be an astronaut. Who would have ever thought this would have been an issue about adding another child to my family?

So, my heart is with you. While this has some impact on our family, I do feel it would be 10x's worse if this was our first child. Please feel free to vent away.


Take care,
Melissa

[NaturalizedCT]

Originally Posted by MissyAmomChina

Hi Steph,
So, my heart is with you. While this has some impact on our family, I do feel it would be 10x's worse if this was our first child. Please feel free to vent away.

These restriction do seem to be reaching an absurd level. I am surprised they didn't just jackup the costs as well. It is really going to suck for those infertile women who have taken an anti-depressant or two.

Traffic tickets are another of those honesty questions which we can't discuss here. However, assuming every will be honest and the RQ poll is correct. Where are the 40% of potential applicants going to go? Vietnam perhaps or Guatemala? Will some people just give up?

[lovemybulldog]

Wow. Thanks for letting me vent. I had a glass of wine with that post I made yesterday, so it could have been the merlot talking! LOL.

I reread the RQ listing of the rules and noticed the "case by case" basis clause. Hopefully that will make a difference.

Also, we are going the SN route, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will be more leinient there.

Finally, our SW let us know that our homestudy is ready to go as soon as our I-600A comes back, so as long as it comes back soon, we have a shot at making the April 30th deadline. They're taking about 90 days right now, so it may be a close call.

Melissa, I'm so sorry that your lazy eye might disqualify you. It seems ridiculous to me that it deem you less of a parent. (((((((HUGS!!!)))))))

Thanks again everyone. It took a glass of vino and a good night's sleep to gain perspective!!

You're all a great source of comfort during these trying times! Merry Christmas to everyone!

[KarenInCa]

Missy, Im wondering if your vision in one eye would be valid for one of the case-by-case situations that CCAA talks about. I haven't gone back to read the new regulations again, but perhaps CCAA is talking about lost vision in both eyes, not just one. From my understanding, (a gross generalization of legal blindness) anyone who cannot see well enough to drive without glasses would most likely fit into the legally blind category. Would those also be turned away? Also, in your case, I'd be interested in finding out if the case-by-case situations are looked at with more leniency if you apply for SN. I really feel for you. Any chance of starting now, and completing before the deadline? I know with our agency, as an alumni, the time and money is less than with the first.

[KarenInCa]

Another thought that just came up, is, what would happen if any of these requirements no longer are valid after DTC? When we adopted our first daughter, we were asked to provide updated info about employment just prior to adoption. I wonder if the agencies will request updated info or notarized statements that nothing has happened to change your qualifications after waiting the expected 18 months. And if there are changes not in the parent's favor toward the end of the long wait, are there any refunds if at that time they decide you are no longer elegible? Guess I have (more) questions for our agency now.

[DD Amasa]

The rules against physical imperfections seem so unfair since they have nothing to do with the ability to parent or provide a loving and safe home to a child.

The rule against more than five traffic violations doesn't seem unreasonable, if they are referring to speeding and running red lights and stop signs and most of all DUI, because thousands of children are killed each year by exactly this sort of behavior. It makes sense to me to weed out people who may put children's and other innocent people's lives at stake.

[AdoptAmiga]

With the tightened-up rules there are certainly people who will no longer qualify. However, with some of the stricter requirements, future APs do have SOME control for a more favorable outcome; such as maritial status, income and some weight/health issues. I didn't say it can/will be easy, but it is a possibility. Nothing can be done about the age factor and past history, for example, and that's a real shame - a potential AP is powerless in those situations. Although, some people will no longer qualify to adopt from China, I maintain there will be no shortage of people who can "pass the test" and I suspect the Chinese adoption officials realize this, too. JMHO.
Best wishes everyone.

[TaraL]

I am going to work my tail off the next few months to get my BMI under 40. I am ok with this as its a great motivation and we weren't planning on starting our paperchase for baby #2 until May or June. I am feeling confident but we shall see. Everyone feels confident about losing weight around the New Year.

Anyway, Karen, you made a good point. What happens if after you completed you dossier and you are in the waiting process and things change. I wouldn't be suprised if after waiting 18 months someone may get depressed and need an anti-depressant. What if you had a significant death in your family and you needed something to get you through it. Better yet lets say someone gains weight during the wait (probably due to emotional eating for having to wait so long) and they go over a BMI of 40. What happens then? Anything can happen. If I spent all that money to get to that point and spent alot of emotion waiting and then I couldn't bring my child home...well lets just say it wouldn't be pretty! Especially if you were with a China only agency. And you can't get you money back from getting fingerprinted and getting the I171H or for you homestudy or for the cost of certification and notorazation. That all adds up.

I am thinking that these rules are going to change again after the Olympics. I am standing by my feelings that these changes are for saving face. There are lots of babies available (more than adoptive parents) despite what anyone says. To believe there isn't and that China is doing this for the good of the children is just romanticizing it and its not realistic. Once the Olympics are over and there are children overcrowding the orphanages, you will see things change!