Greatest FEV1 increase with exercise!!!
Kristen,
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<br />Yes, CF can make adoption anywhere from impossible to a 'small bump in the road'.
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<br />Internationally, many countries will flag you out completely just with the diagnosis - physical or not!
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<br />Private adoptions can be tricky. You usually have to search for the birthparent/birthparents. There are MANY families waiting...It really is a hit or miss. You really have to stand out as to why YOU WOULD BE THE BEST PARENT OUT OF THE OTHERS DESPITE YOUR CF!!! Plus, domestic private adoption is quite pricey. Usually, it is between $20,000 to $25,000 with a wait of around 1 year or slightly longer.
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<br />Public adoptions are VERY LOW COST; however, you will be waiting perhaps 7 YEARS for an infant. You could even be waiting 4-5 years for a child under 7-years-old!!! Many to-be-parents take this route because they simply can't afford $20,000 up front. Thus, the long wait...
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<br />Jake and I had debated our decisions for months or perhaps years (on-and-off). We actually started out with possible adoption and attended orientations from various local foster/adopt agencies. We realized it cost too much for us moreso since we were just starting out and only married 6 months. We were to young and not married long enough either, in some circumstances. We then thought we'd try naturally with no success. So we are back to Plan A, really.
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<br />Fost-Adopt is risky. I would be lying to tell you otherwise. It is FREE since you go in as a foster parent. Also, CF isn't a factor. They could care less, actually, as long as you are doing good and pass a physical.
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<br />However, there are many emotional factors that deter many from pursuing this route. #1.) You are bonding for 15 months with this child as its primary caregiver. At the end of the 15 months, the child may be returned to its parent/parents. Your emotional state could be VERY FRAGILE. Then, you may always wonder IF the parent stayed 'okay' and 'if' the child is okay. #2.) You are the primary caregiver yet you are the second wheel. The birth parent/parents still have priority. This can be VERY hard for some to handle. Like Becki said & I have also been advised, often times birth parents are completely out of the picture for 12 months out 15. Then, they get a court order that their rights are about to be terminated. Then, they come out of the woodwork and fight like heck to get their children back! What Becki is going through is quite common which brings me to point #3. #3.) Fost/Adopt parents get burned out after numerous attempts to become parents of a foster child.
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<br />You might be thinking...Well, what is the difference than between straight foster vs. fost/adopt? That is a good question. Children placed under the straight fostercare system are children whos parent/parents are deemed to be able to overcome their challenges. Children placed in the fost/adopt program typically have parents that are less likely to overcome their issues and be effective parents. However, that doesn't mean that they won't. There really isn't much of a difference. Many states are now doing away with the fost/adopt program because of its lack of difference.
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<br />For Jake and I, it took a long time for us to be able to 'accept' the possible reunication of a birth child and parent. We weren't sure we could handle it. However, we finally decided that we could, and that there are always other children that would need help. However, we do hope to someday adopt a child if the need presents itself. Afterall, that is why we chose fost/adopt over foster.
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<br />The whole concept of fost/adopt is probably the hardest, honestly. There are so many mixed emotions followed with ups-and-downs. However, if you really want to adopt a younger child without taking out a home equity loan or waiting many, many years (that CFers usually don't have) than this is your ONLY option.
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<br />Side note, some states require open adoption while others don't have a perference. However, open adoption is 'strongly encouraged' regardless.
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<br />We are in the process of being approved. The hardest questions we were asked were all regarding our feelings towards birth parents. Also, we were asked if we would be open to exchanging letter, phone calls, and/or actual visits. We answered 'yes' to letters, 'yes' to phone calls', and 'ify' to visits. Those questions were to IF we actually adopted the child. We were also asked if we were willing to meet the parent/parents during the foster care portion. I said 'yes' without hesitation because I want to know and see for myself what caused this child to come to us. On a side note, many of the parents are drug addicted which is something I have never been exposed to. I feel that in order for ME TO BE THE BEST CAREGIVER POSSIBLE I NEED TO EXPOSE MYSELF TO THE EXACT SITUATIONS THAT ARE AFFECTING THE CHILD. I NEED TO ATTEMPT TO UNDERSTAND AND INTERPRET TO BE THE BEST MIDDLEMAN, YOU COULD SAY, TO HELP THE CHILD WHEN QUESTIONS ARISE. We are looking for a 1-4 years old and are considering siblings so questions are sure to come our way.
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<br />Oh...I almost forgot...If a child from the fost/adopt program comes up for adoption, CF may become an issue. It really depends of the birth parents. If they aren't even at the parental rights hearing, then you don't have a problem. However, if they fight like Becki's are, then they could use your CF against you, making it that much harder...
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<br />Anyway, feel free to ask away. I won't bog the thread down anymore for now.<img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0">
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