[yusen]

Thanks for the information Sharon!,
by the way
Happy Be-lated Birthday..
Karen.

[stitchie]

You're welcome. Thanks for the birthday wishes.

[Kama]

Hello,

My husband and I are trying to adopt independently from Poland. We just sent our dossier to Poland for translation. I was born and raised in Poland and my husband is Polish American. Has anyone tried to go without agency (after using one for home study, of course)? Do you find that Polish roots matter? (I read and hear contradictory opinions). Also, we are both 40 yrs old and asked for a pre-schooler (one child or siblings). I would appreciate if you share any experiences. Thank you.

[hybell]

My husband and I adopted a 4 yr old boy from Poland this past summer (05). We used a facilitator, and had a smooth process. My husband does have Polish roots, but we're still not clear how important this was in the matching.

[yusen]

My husband and I are also adopting from Poland, However we are using a Facilitator also. We were told that by having any sort of connection with the Polish heritage or being Polish, speaking Polish etc was a plus, as far as when the Polish Courts review paperwork. My husband speaks Polish,, not fluently but can understand it better that speaking it. My mother-in-law can speak Polish fluently. I am Czech, which is Eastern European, so our cultures are very similar, I am hoping hoping that will be recognized! As far as going Independantly, I do not have any experience with that, but If I had your story of growing up in Poland, speaking Polish, I would definatly try going to Poland and visiting the orphanages and talking to the court systems directly. Good Luck!

[Kama]

Hello all the potential adopters from Poland who happend to stumble upon this thread.... You are welcome to ask question and share expriences with the few of us who are going through this process. Anyone out there waiting?... :-)

[glpatek]

Is Poland a one trip process? How much are adoption costs currently?

[Kama]

There is not one answer to your question. You can accomplish Polish adoption in one trip but this means you might have to stay in Poland for 1.5-2 months. The cost questioin is even more difficult... All depends if you are doing it independently or through an agency, and which agency you are using. With the cost of travel, etc. it can exceed $30,000... Another important issue to consider is the wait time. The minimum is about a year, but I have heard about cases where it has been 2 or 3 years. Please feel free to post any other questions or PM me. It is useful to read other olders posts -- there is lots of information there too. Best wishes.

[yusen]

What we were told is that ,, After acceptance of the referral,, we would then go to Poland to meet and bond with the child/children, and to meet with the appropriate parties,, that trip would consist of about 2 to 3 weeks.

After trip 1,, and we have completly accepted the child/children and they have formed a bond, we will then fly back out to Poland , for the court procedures , visas etc, this should be around 2 weeks. We will then be able to bring them home! the time lapse between trip 1 and trip 2,, is around 1 week.
Like Kama has said in previous post, the past information in the Polish forums will provide much information that you may need.

Take care
Karen

[Kama]

True, most adoptive parents elect to take 2 trips of about 2 weeks each, but it is possible to stay for one long trip. We would like for me to stay the whole time and my husband will travel back to the U.S. and then back to Poland for the 2nd court appearance, to get the visa, and then take the child or children back. I have family in Poland so it makes sense for me to stay with them. And, we do not have to pay for me going back so it is more economic in this way. So, it really depends on your particular situation, how much vacation time you have from work, etc. Let us know if you have more questions, and we will be happy to answer!

[glpatek]

Thank you so much for your reply. You've been really helpful. It's all so overwhelming! It's very hard to find a country that is only 1 trip anymore. This is very sad to me.

[hybell]

My husband and I did two trips - one of 3 weeks and one of 1 week, with 3 weeks in between. I know of several other families who did something similar.

The extra time in Poland gave me time to get to know my son's caretakers, his social worker, and the city in which he was born and lived for 4 years. I even saw the hospital where he was born. Now, as he mourns his home and friends, I can mourn along with him. I know how precious his memories are, and I can share some piece of them. I look forward to returning with him.

It was heartwrenching to leave him between trips, but it's also heartwrenching to remember how he cried for his caregivers in his first weeks home. We gave him something he very much needed - a family - but we also took him from his language, culture, country, friends, and several parent figures.

[glpatek]

Wow!
You really brought it to reality! I am so happy for you and your family It really makes sense and I'm so glad that you were able to do this. I would love to be able to do this...and maybe we will. We are really trying to find an Eastern European adoption that is 1 trip. It's mainly financial reasons, but both my husband and myself don't really like to fly (we are willing to fly for an adoption, but it's not easy to imagine this 2x!) We adopted an amazing daughter back in 2000 from Russia and boy have times have changed! Finding this one trip adoption is incredibly difficult. I really appreciate all the stories I've heard up to this point. It's such an amazing blessing: adoption. I am truly so happy for all of us that have been able to see God work in such an incredible way. Thank you!
Laura

[momraine]

We are doing one trip (I am in Poland now) because the orphanage will not take him back after court, long story anyway i have no choice. WE made a preliminary visit in September of a week and this trip I am here for six weeks or more if the passport takes too long. Dh will only be here for 3. So one week is possible. my son is for sure mourning his friends and caregivers.