[amyfk]

HI to the List

I hope everyone is well tonight.

We got another referral today from our agency. Tomorrow night I will talk with the doctor to see her assessment of the referral.

I have two questions: On the referral, although the child is under a year old, it was mentioned that parental rights were terminated. It didnt mention why. Is this something you can find out more about if you push the agency? Also, why are parental rights terminated by the court system in Russia? Has anyone adopted a child from such circumstances, any feedback?

Second, my husband received the fax from the agency and is on the phone talking to my mom about the referral downstairs. He's absolutely FREAKING OUT with all of the terminology. I told him that it's customary in Russia that there's tons of this sort of terminology on the referral. He and my mom both think they are doctors and can figure out what it all means. I told him to wait until tomorrow night before panicking, as the doctor knows what to look for.

Is this correct? From the seminars and the newsgroups I am a member of, I was told that this is normal for the typical Russian referral-to have tons of scary terminology. How do I calm him down before he jumps out of his skin?

Thanks in advance,
Amy K, NJ

[maddensmom]

The baby has perinatal encephalopathy right? Had problems getting started after delivery? Perhaps some oversensitivity? Low motor and speech skills, pretty much a delay? Can you tell what kinds of things were in our medicals? My son has one problem as pr the speech therapist...he is stubborn. Even a IA doc can't tell you anything for ABSOLUTE certain. Some things, just like a pregnancy, are left to someone higher...n Good luck. I don't know if I could calm down either. i would be excited!

[kretzklan]

Amy - tell DH to take a deep breath. You can't tell much by the medicals...an IA doc will be able to tell more - but as mentioned - they are usually on the negative side of the spectrum. Almost all children have "parental rights terminated" that is why they are available for adoption. If the rights weren't terminated - they would be in limbo.

[Jim_in_PA]

Amy, suggest to DH to chill...it is very true that a lot of "scary sounding things" get listed on referral sheets just because that's the way they do it. Translations screw things up sometimes, too. I don't know where it is now, but our agency, in their regular adoption materials, actually has a "glossary" of sorts that 'splain many of the things that commonly appear on these things. Only an IA doc can really evaluate things overall and they are often looking for things NOT on the referral sheet, if you know what I mean.

As to the rights termination, you likely will not find out the details until court where you may get a copy of the final determination as part of your paperwork. (We did get it...and it's the most interesting and fascinating document in our pile for what it contained...and didn't contain)

[amyfk]

HI

I just want to thank you very much. I was pretty sure that there was a lot of scary, obscure sounding terminology on the medicals. (sometimes my family thinks they are know-it-alls) isnt that terrible to say? They think they know what everything means on the medical. I keep telling them to wait and see what the Dr. says tomorrow night. My husband is still sitting on the couch sulking, he thinks it's a defnite no-go. Maybe Ill tell him to look at your posts so he doesnt freak out-he's making me tense.

BTW, I think this mother did have TPR. From what the medical says, the mother also has a biological son who was taken from her who is currently a teenager. He's now residing in a boys' school somewhere. That's why I wanted more details on TPR.

Thanks again,
Amy K, NJ

[kimber413]

Amy, you can ask your agency about details regarding the termination of parental rights. We did, and although we didn't get all of the particulars until we were in court, we were able to find out that she did not take proper care of our daughter and her parental rights were terminated by the court.

I lifted this from one of the IA doctor's websites. It will give you a little insight into how much, or really how little, the Russian medical diagnoses can tell you.

Medical diagnoses. In our study of over 300 potential adoptees from Eastern Europe, specific medical diagnoses were listed in over 90% of referral documents. However, many of these diagnoses were obsure (vegito-visceral syndrome); utilized arcane terminology (oligophrenia); or had terrifying prognoses such as perinatal encephalopathy, muscle tone abnormalities (e.g., spastic quadraparesis, pyramidal syndrome, myotonic syndrome), hypertension-hydrocephal syndrome and intrapartum spinal trauma. What do these diagnoses really mean and are they correct?

The use of medical terminology differs among countries. The best example is perinatal encephalopathy, a diagnosis listed in close to 100% of children referred from Russia. To most physicians in the United States, perinatal encephalopathy is an ominous condition which denotes a child at high risk of cerebral palsy and mental retardation. In Russia, the diagnosis may be made if the attending physician feels there is evidence from the history or physical exam that the child was "stressed" at some point in the pregnancy, delivery or post-partum period. In other words, the child--in their minds--is at risk for neurologic damage. A course of therapy is then prescripbed and most children "recover" by a year of age. Complicating the use of this term is that the diagnosis may also be applied in situations where the orphanage director doese not want to appear to be placing too many "normal" children abroad or of the institution wants to be eligible for additional funding.

The indiscriminate and non-medical use of these and other terms has led many adoption professionals to advise their clients to ignore the m edical diagnoses listed in their child's medical history. However, you should never completely igore any diagnosis unless the records contain evidence that suggests the diagnosis is incorrect.

Your first step is to seek counsel from your physician. A child with a diagnosis of "perinatal encephalopathy" who rolls over at four months, sits at seven, and walks at twelve does not have the motor impairments consistent with their diagnosis. However, acquisition of developmental milestones within an institutional care environment is usually delayed. In situations where the accuracy of a diagnosis is questioned, seek assistance from a physician who has experience interpreting adoption medical information.

Basically, tell DH and family to chill until you've had an opportunity to consult a qualified IA doctor. And don't talk to a regular pediatrician, because they really don't know the terminology.

Best of luck to you!

[amyfk]

HI Kim

Thanks so much for your article. I really appreciate it. Luckily the doctor is a specialist in IA's, so we're looking foward to speaking with her tonight. I think my husband is a bit better now. Thanks to the list.

Amy K NJ

[proudmommyof 2]

kimber gave great information. Talk to your IA doc. In NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you look up each of the names in a medical dictionary, like I did. :-)


Dennis' medical form was the scariest thing I have ever read. He is now almost 5, will start Kindergarten, and is very bright, sweet, etc. No problems. He is slightly under average for height, which may be genetic. No health or developmental problems now (knocking on wood).

[his,mine&ours]

Congratulations on the referral. I know it must be scary, but revel in the fact - for at least a moment - that you are one step closer!

I pray that you get the info you need from the IA doc to make a good decision for your family.

[papedge]

my Emery had all the normal dx from Russia the even had him having trimmers this was becouse when he cried his bottom lip would quiver what babys dosent, we have had Emery home almot 2yesrs now he is a bright child we took him to be evaled for speech because he has trouble with making the L sounds the come out as W and th cames out as F, well they that is normal but on all of his test they did come to the conclusion that after kindergardan we should put him in gifted and tatented, this is child that was born addicted to harin(sp?) so if you work with child they will come along...... always have them checked by an IA doc.... but try not to worry to much praying for you to hear the news you are waiting for....

[Vicki H]

They use big terminology in Russia. I would say perinatal encephelapathy, open oval window in the heart. I know is sounds scary, but these are typical diagnoses.

I would consult an IA doc regarding the medicals.

Congrats on the referral.

Vicki

[waitinginnj]

Jane Aronson's website has a lot of information about common diagnisis that you can read to help understand some of them. Of course, I am a true believer in the IA doctor input.

Here's is hoping that the right child has found their way to you.

[cathvash]

Termination of parenteral rights can result from abuse or neglect, or can occur when an institutionalized child is not visited by the parent(s) for an extended period of time. Many children are left in a children's home on a "temporary" basis - often due to family emergency or even not enough money to provide care for the child. The period of institutionalization is provided to help the parent(s) get back on their feet. Sometimes it never happens... If no one from the family visits for a prolonged period of time, the parent's rights are suspended.

[his,mine&ours]

Amy - just checking in to see if you've talked with the dr. and how you are doing....

[amyfk]

thanks again

Hi to the Group,

Thanks for your support. Basically I tried to forget everything during the day(and try to stay calm) We'll listen for her expertise t onight and decide from there. Luckily I convinced my husband (with your help) and he's doing better today too.

Amy K, NJ