[foreverluv]

I'm already signed up with an agency to adopt from China, but I keep feeling pulled to Korea, our original country of choice. We were disqualified right off the bat because my dh is about 40lbs over their weight limit. It would just take too long for him to lose it. I know there are a few agencies that don't have this restriction (Holt being one of them), but they only place special needs children in our state. We already have to young ones at home, so I don't know if we can handle a sn child right now.

Does anyone know of other agencies we can look into? We are in AZ if that helps. Thank you!

[lindybeth]

As far as I know the weight restriction is not from the agency you work with but from the country itself. Holt actually does disqualify for weight. It's a great incentive though!
Lindy

[07hopeful]

I know when we went to our agency's info. seminar, they said NO, there is no weight restriction with them. No idea if that's just agency-to-agency though...

[cthy757]

We are a Holt family, and there is no weight restriction with them...The weight restriction comes from the agencies on the Korean side. There are four Korean agencies: Holt, KSS, Eastern, and SWS.

Cathy

[Carlee1boy]

Our agency just eliminated the weight restriction. I will PM you.

Carolyn

[teachamy]

Our agency works with families across the U.S., and it works with Holt in Korea. There is no weight restriction. PM me if you'd like the name/link to our agency.

[Shelley]

Wide Horizons for CHildren uses Holt Korea and they don't have weight restrictions. As far as waiting children, our Korean born daughter was a waiting child, a 29 weeks preemie. Sometimes a child is classified as waiting because they have an extra finger or toe, or any number of easily correctable needs. Like cleft lip/paletter, this does involve surgery so thats something to take into consideration. The difference is with the w/c's program you can choose your child, you know whats going on medically. And it doesn't take as long as waiting for a referral. From the time we were offically matched w/our daughter (6//9/03) to the time we traveled to Korea and brought her home (8/8/03) was right at 2 months. You can also request a girl/boy. SOmetimes children thru the nsn's program come home with undiagnosed medical problems. The waiting childrens program is a wonderful way to add to your family, but it's not right for everyone. Check it out, you never know you might find your child there. Shelley

[spaypets]

You know, if your husband committed to losing the weight, it really wouldn't take that long. A healthy loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week. That's less than a year to lose 40 lbs (and men lose so much easier/faster than women). If he joined Weight Watchers today, followed the eating program and increased his activity, he could lose that weight by Christmas, if not sooner.

Five years ago this month, I joined WW. By July I lost 20 lbs. By November I'd lost about 35 lbs and I've kept it (all but about 5 lbs that I play around with) off ever since. And I wasn't very overweight (146 lbs. at 5'2"). And my DH, who semi worked the plan with me, lost 2 lbs to every 1 I lost.

I know it seems like forever, but in the span of a life time, what's six months if it means getting what you really want?

[ahfdragonfly]

I think I saw something about if you are over the weight limit & your Dr. writes something about being otherwise healthy & on a commited weight loss program, you should be OK. Check with your agency, because I know I have seen couples that must be over the limit who have used the same agency as I have, & we did have the limit.

Millie

[Mindy82]

I don't think the weight restriction has been lifted, though they are right about if a doc says you are healthy they may waive it... i don't understand why it matters that the agency doesn't have that restriction, because the country does matter! i know that! and also, you cannot select sex of baby (frowned upon), they think you should just wait for a referral of any sex

[P&Emom]

So are you suggesting that even if you are approved by your agency, that if you are overweight you will be denied?

[ahfdragonfly]

Not necessarily. The statement from your Dr is what would be the most important factor. Our agency is very good about correcting or dealing with any problems that may be a problem with Korea, before things are sent over that may be denied. Remember, the agency wants to help grow our families, not set you up for more pain. A good SW & agency should talk you through any rough spots.

Millie

[Shelley]

I agree with Millie,
The agencies pretty much KNOW who will or will not be accepted. Before signing with ANY agency talk to them about the weight requirements, along with everything else. Holt Korea doesn't have any weight restrictions, So talk to agencies that partner with them. The only way to find out is to ask. Most reputable agencies will lay it on the line right up front, so talk to them. SHelley

[foreverluv]

Thanks everyone. We could probably go forward with Korea, but dh also has type 2 diabetes (controlled completely by diet), so the combonation of the two is preventing us from the Korea program at this time. It's also not a good idea for him to try to lose the weight too quickly. He is losing weight, but it's going to take a while. We're just going to keep moving forward with China and go to Korea next time. Thanks for all the help!

[SABTeacher]

My understanding is that SWS is the one with the weight requirement. Holt in Korea doesn't, so any agencies that work with them wouldn't have that problem.

Shari