2 replies to this topic

[gsp23]

Hi all. My boyfriend and I had talked about having a child a few years ago. Well with my hospitilization back in 2006 and the last 2 yrs being challenging and paying medical bills we are finally in a place where we are talking about kids again. However, we are 33 and 35 and arent really sure that we want to have a newborn at our ages so adoption of an older child seems the best option for us. Domestic adoption isnt realisitc as most US adoptions are open adoptions where the adopted family and child are requiered to stay in contact with the biological family and I dont want that. So, we have considered international adoption, Russia being the leading candidate. Anyways, I hear that 2yrs minimum marriage is required so we are talking about getting married within the next year and adoption being something like 2yrs out for a child around 5yrs old. That being said, I am worried about them turning us down because of my disability. I feel I can provide for the child and care for the child without issue but wondering if anyone has adopted a child weather it be domestically or internationally and what if any problems did you face specifically related to disabilities.

[Justagirl]

I have always been interested in adoption long before I met my fiancee, who has injuries that probably have made things difficult for us to get pregnant so it more of a real thing now! So when the time comes, I am super excited to get out there and adopt. I have done a lot of research though about international adoptions, and I do know that several countries do turn down couples that have physical disabilities. I seem to remember in the article and documentary I was watching that Russia, China, and Korea were the countries that turned down a couple with the husband in a chair. This could have changed AND it might depend on the specific agency--just letting you know what I have heard and read! I am sure you will just have to do lots of homework on specific agencies and get a good social worker or representative that will work well for you...

[gsp23]

I actually have done quite a lot of research on domestic and international adoption. I know that finding the right social worker and agency are key because some of them look at you as disabled and not as a person and if they see a person who is not able to provide then they arent going to properly represent you. I have references of places that are known to be helpful for disabled people to adopt, just not quite at that point and havent contacted them yet just reading and researching now.

Anyways, I had read a report about an amputee online that sucessfully adopted from Russia and there is actually a book out somewhere about disabled people adopting but an amputee who can walk with a prosthetic and no crutches, canes, etc is quite different in some peoples eyes than someone in a wheelchair. I also had read that Russia and China used to turn people down with disabilities they are more open to it now and have to follow certain standards (kinda like an ADA) but I also know that doesnt necessarily mean anything. Russia does not allow private adoptions and will only deal with certain agencies and looking at the sites of several of them they list that the candidates must be healthy with no major disabilities, and not being able to walk is a major disability according to internation adoption policies. But there are agencys that will deal with disabled individuals so there might be hope. Dunno, was hoping someone on here had dealt with it and could give me hope but guess we will have to wait and see as things progress with the both of us.