[rayj]

We brought our daughter home from Guatemala in March 08, and I'm starting to look at China for our next adoption. However, I must admit (while I'm open to waiting 3 years), the 6 year prediction certainly is a turn-off.

Anyway, I was curious know which special needs are considered "correctable."

I'm thinking:
Cleft/Lip Palate
Birthmarks
Limb Difference (?)

What about Heart Disease?

Any others?

Thanks in advance!

[jpl]

We are just starting our second adoption. Our first was from Guatemala in 07' and this adoption will be from China! We are just finishing our homestudy.

As far as SP the one's you gave are one's that are correctable. You can PM us for agency info. If you are serious then you can talk with a good pediatrician with a list of SP given to you by your agency. You check off the ones you feel you can take on.

The process is much faster also!

[Arador]

Its really what you and your family think you can handle. What one family thinks is no big deal, is huge to another.

Do a lot of research on needs you think you might be comfortable with and really examine worst case scenario for each need (multiple surgeries, continued therapy, etc.). The medical reports you get along with pics are very sketchy at best - you have to go with your gut. Some report details are wrong while others do not mention things (again be aware of worst case, but only a few turn out to be). Other things - does your insurance cover things like operations and potential long term care?

Also please think of the child you have at home now. If you have a SN child that needs a lot of attention, how will that affect the other child?

If you are OK with that then that would be a mild/correctable/handled list of needs to you. A lot of kids on the SN lists have multiple needs (Cleft lip/palate is counted as one need usually and could be listed with other needs), so you need to be open to that as well.

The most popular SN choice seem to be Cleft P/L, female, as young as possible. Some heart disease seems to be next as its considered usually a one time operation, or the child will grow out of it. If you are open to multiple needs, male or older children, there are a lot of kids available right now.

There are a lot of Yahoo groups with great support and info - just look up with the special need you might be considering and ask them how it is. Also talk to your doctor.

Yes the process is faster than the current NSN wait, but please don't do it only for that. There are a few who have and didn't realize what they got themselves into. Also with the new rules and I800/Hague requirements it will take awhile.

Good Luck!

[rayj]

Yes the process is faster than the current NSN wait, but please don't do it only for that. There are a few who have and didn't realize what they got themselves into.

This is a really good point. You are certainly right about this.

Also with the new rules and I800/Hague requirements it will take awhile.

Can you shed some light on the new rules? After an emotional rollercoaster with our last adoption, I honestly just had to disconnect myself from all this information. Now I feel out of the loop again!

[jbzanie]

I would not group cleft lip/palate as a mild. Yes it is correctable but is a need that typically requires multiple surgeries through out childhood.

Our son Ricky has had 2 surgeries within the year of being home (he had his lip repaired in China). There will be many more in the future.

As well as weekly speech therapy plus orthodontic work.

Not all cleft kids are alike of course.

[mdaisyq]

I agree. Our son's cleft lip and palate were both repaired in China and we are lucky in that the surgery was done well. He is in his 2nd year of twice a week private speech therapy and will probably continue to go for many years to come. He has needed one set of ear tubes and we are looking at another set, soon. He will need to have his nose revised and a bone graft done to close the cleft in his gum. He may need more surgery later. Plus the orthodontia and dental work.

I would adopt another cleft affected child in a heart beat, but it does take a lot of commitment, particularly with the speech.