[saraluckys]

My husband and I are in Okinawa Japan. A friend of the families has decided to give her baby boy up for adoption, and since we cannot have children, she asked us if we would like to adopt him. I have never even thought of this before so I dont know what the first step would be? We are in Okinawa and the baby boy is back in the states. Is it harder to do from over here? Whats the first step I should take? I just need a few answers... Thank you all!!

[newmommyneedshelp]

It shouldn't be too hard since it's a private adoption and you won't need a home study. I'd try base legal as a first step...I know that they handle adoption stuff for babies that are surrendered at the Naval Hospital at Lester.

We looked into adopting while in Okinawa and couldn't find anyone willing to travel to do a homestudy for us (attempting to adopt fo Guatemala at the time)

Good Luck!

[Linny]

It's been many years ago (1980/1982) that we adopted two infants while living on Okinawa, Japan. One child was born in Korea, the other on island.
At that time, there was only one adoption agency on the entire island which had American and Okinawan caseworkers. We worked with both. As I recall, the agency was closer to the Navy Hospital Base then. Seems like the name was something like International Social Agency Okinawa (ISAO).
I'd check with your base legal; and, as far as I remember, you WILL need to have a homestudy conducted. At that time, even though both babies were born overseas, we still had to satisfy the criteria for our 'state of residency' as well as the local courts. Not entirely sure how that works when the baby will be born stateside.
Please feel free to pm me if I can be of any help to you. I realize it was a long time ago, but we were also involved with others who adopted while living on Okinawa as well.
My best to you...

Sincerely,

Linny

[Drywall]

Linny...I read your recent post regarding the adoption of an older child.

First, let me thank you for your kind words. I have never fully described my story because somethings are better left unsaid.

I was adopted long ago...in a different era...long before all the medical diagnoses of adoptees came about. Things were different. Hopefully now they are better.

Certainly there appears to be a greater understanding of PTSD, RAD, etc.

I agree with you on many points. Based on the stories here, may prospective parents are not fully aware of the history of the older children they adopt.

Additionally, in many cases, the state has been less than honest in sharing full disclosure with the prospective parents so the parents are unaware of what the future holds. This is wrong. The parents should have full disclosure.

Hopefully with the opening of adoption records much of the continued secrecy, omissions and untruths will be less of a problem.

Again, thank you for your kind concern.

I wish you the best.

[Linny]

Your most welcomed.

Sincerely,

Linny