Its interesting how the Chinese adoption process has changed over the years. It used to be that China prided itself on how fair and organized their system was. Parents applying to adopt a child were matched and had their new family member home within a year. So many things have come into play, however, and now, families adopting from China are faced with a huge wait time.
When we started the process - requesting a daughter, under the age of two, with no medical issues - we were told that we'd have her within the year. Our application packet, known as a dossier, was logged in (LID) July 12, 2006 - 23 months ago. Obviously, we changed course and have a beautiful daughter who is older and has medical concerns, but that has been the best choice we ever made!!
For other families who logged in on the same date that we originally did, however, they are no where close to having their children home. China just matched families who were LID from January 13, 2006 thru January 20, 2006. That means they are still 177 days away from July 12, 2006's families. The rate that they have been matching would estimate that those families will have to wait until November or December of 2010 to even see a photo of their new family member. I cannot even begin to fathom having to wait that long - especially given that we were all told it would take 12 months.... NOT four and a half years! That is beyond belief.
The waiting in itself is bad enough. The complicated part is that during those four and a half years, these families will continue to pay their adoption agencies and the US Government to keep their home studies updated, fingerprints valid, and immigration paperwork current. Its almost as if they are rubbing salt in an open wound nearly all the time.... It is forcing these parents to make very difficult choices. Some are dropping out all together, some are adopting from a different country, some are changing to a special needs China adoption. Regardless, I pray that each finds peace in whatever choice they make - and that waiting children around the world find a family to love them and bring them home.
1 comment:
Michelle - a very interesting post. After going through a non-special-needs adoption in 2004/05 (we only waited 6 months for our referral for Gracie) and a special-needs adoption with Gabe (8 months from seeing his picture to gotcha), I can't imagine doing a NSN adoption now.
Maybe this is one of God's ways of showing us how to stretch our limits and boundaries and see just what we're made of? Also maybe God's way of making sure these "special needs" kids get a home (although I don't think neither Elle or Gabe have any "special" need - all they need is LOVE!)
Have a great day.
Andy
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