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Originally Posted By Kathy Klimek

My husband and I have discussed pursuing foster to adopt. We do not have children of our own but would like to and have not been successful. I am nervous about being a foster parent. My husband and I are both Special Education teachers but would prefer to adopt a non-disabled child. I think that sounds extremely selfish but we know what it takes to take care of a Special Child (I give those parents credit!). Should we not hold our breath about being able to adopt? Is fostering a difficult thing to do? Rewarding? Please give us information.....

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Originally Posted By Kim

Kathy Klimek - my husband and I have been approved for 1 and a half years. We have not had one phone call about fostering to adopt. It's a very emotional rollercoaster ride I wish I never would have got on. I still search for a child but, so far nothing..maybe someday. I wish you the best of luck.

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Originally Posted By Pat Looby

Kathy,
I too am a Special Education teacher in Illinois. Three years ago, two special little boys came into our lives. My oldest son is LD and my youngest has ADHD. Even though I work all day with special needs children, (EMH, LD, and BD) I find that my home life is a joy and wouldn't trade it for anything. I hope you reconsider.

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Originally Posted By preed

I think that fostering to adopt was one of the hardest things we have ever done. But on the flip side you also get joy in your life that you would otherwise of never known. But the bottom line, you must be committed to the journey, for the childrens sake. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted By Jan

You are not being selfish at all in not wanting to adopt a disabled child. My husband and I flet the same way you and your husband do, however, we felt that we had to feel comfortable in whatever decision we made, and after discussing this with our caseworker, she encouraged us to pursue whatever it was we were comfortable with. Fostering is very rewarding, and, as a matter of fact,in order to be able to adopt thru the county, you must be a licensed foster parent in order to adopt. Your child must live with you for a certain period of time prior to adoption finalization. We adopted both of our daughters through the LCDCFS and we had to be licensed foster parents. We had to attend classes and fill out all the necessary paperwork before we started the process. Our oldest daughter has been with us for 10 years now and our youngest 4 years.