[willadopt]

For prospective parents our age (41 and 44) waiting for Kazakhstan to become a Hague convention country, let's be honest, might not be a possibility.

I think it's a shame that a country's policies would not be reviewed and redesigned while the adoption program remains open. Perhaps, I will convey this feeling to the Embassy of Kazakhstan - perhaps many others should - in hope that they listen. If I understand how the system works, a suspension of the program also means that orphanages are no longer receiving the financial support that comes from the adoption fees. That will soon result in hardship for the children; and it will be such a shame if it happens.

All of that said, the tough question is: which countries represent the closest alternative to Kaz? I doubt we will be able to wait for much longer past March to see if Kaz reopens its program.

Any thoughts are much appreciated.

[karla-k]

We are one of the families with a referral in Kyrgyzstan and still waiting 3 years later. In the mean time, we have completed an adoption from China! Started last January and brought our son home in October. 9 months from start to finish.

The Waiting Child program in China can be quick and you can choose the child you wish to adopt or allow your agency to match you with a child. There are very young children and young teens and all ages in between. Lots and lots of boys and many girls also. Our son was 10 months at referral, cleft lip and palate. Lip repaired in China. We had his palate repaired 2 months after coming home. We brought him home at 17 months old.

Karla

[willadopt]

Hi Karla,

Thanks for your response, and congratulations on bringing your son home!

Indeed, from what you say the special needs program in China is very fast. We were not thinking we were ready for facing medical problems (though, with any child, there is always going to be some problem or other, I would say). Yet, your experience is reassuring and helps to put things in perspective.

Incidentally, we were in China not long ago, for work, and we had the opportunity of visiting an elementary school: those children made our hearts melt

I hope your adoption in Kyrgyzstan also goes through soon. Three years is a very long time. It really seems that the process there is not working properly.

Originally Posted by karla-k

We are one of the families with a referral in Kyrgyzstan and still waiting 3 years later. In the mean time, we have completed an adoption from China! Started last January and brought our son home in October. 9 months from start to finish.

The Waiting Child program in China can be quick and you can choose the child you wish to adopt or allow your agency to match you with a child. There are very young children and young teens and all ages in between. Lots and lots of boys and many girls also. Our son was 10 months at referral, cleft lip and palate. Lip repaired in China. We had his palate repaired 2 months after coming home. We brought him home at 17 months old.

Karla

[karla-k]

Many of the children on the China special needs list have very minor needs, a lot of them are not even medical needs per say. Some had medical issues that have been repaired in China and need only yearly check ups at a specialist.

We requested a healthy infant boy in Kyrgyzstan. We love our son and cannot wait to bring him home, but in the 3 years that we've been waiting we have seen issues arise that ironically would qualify him to be on the special needs list in China. Not that he has great needs, just that unless a child is close to perfect, they are labeled special needs by the CCAA.

Some common needs:[list][*]missing fingers or toes[*]club foot[*]cleft lip and palate[*]repaired heart issues[*]albinism[*]mild to moderate hearing loss[*]irregular skin pigmentation[*]AGE! There are more than a few perfectly healthy kids who are 5 or older and termed special needs b/c of their age Esp. boys [list]

[willadopt]

Karla,

I never thanked you again for your additional input! And I just want to wish you and your family good luck with that now three-year-old referral (how unfair :-(): I hope you can have your child home from Kyrgyzstan very, very soon!

Alessandro

Originally Posted by karla-k

Many of the children on the China special needs list have very minor needs, a lot of them are not even medical needs per say. Some had medical issues that have been repaired in China and need only yearly check ups at a specialist.

We requested a healthy infant boy in Kyrgyzstan. We love our son and cannot wait to bring him home, but in the 3 years that we've been waiting we have seen issues arise that ironically would qualify him to be on the special needs list in China. Not that he has great needs, just that unless a child is close to perfect, they are labeled special needs by the CCAA.

Some common needs:[list][*]missing fingers or toes[*]club foot[*]cleft lip and palate[*]repaired heart issues[*]albinism[*]mild to moderate hearing loss[*]irregular skin pigmentation[*]AGE! There are more than a few perfectly healthy kids who are 5 or older and termed special needs b/c of their age Esp. boys [list]