Orphans with PKU Why I should adopt - Presented by Kristi Smith and Casey Dill - National PKU Alliance
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Orphans with PKU Why I should adopt Presented by Kristi Smith and Casey Dill
Disclosure Statement Kristi Smith and Casey Dill have no financial disclosures that would be a potential conflict of interest with this presentation. The information and opinions expressed in this presentation are soley their expression and are not endorsed by NPKUA or any other organizion. The information shared today is from their personal experience and opinions. Please consult a physician for any medical advice. Kristi and Casey assume no responsiblility for any action that is taken based on the information recieved in today's presentation
Why should I adopt? • Have you thought about PKU adoption? • Truth vs Myth in adoption • Learn why birth families give up children • What care is given by orphanages/foster families? • The requirements (and why you may be an exception to the rules!) • The adoption process, financing your adoption, and support for adoptive PKU families. • Find out about specific PKU orphans ready to be adopted or supported by YOUR FAMILY.
Have you thought about PKU adoption? • Is there a need? • Would I qualify? • Are the children well cared for? Do they have delays? • How long will the process take? • Do I need to travel? • What’s the cost?
Have you thought about PKU Adoption? I have
• This is my story
Diagnosed 4
Diagnosed at 11 Days days old
old
MATCHED!!!!
Wedding Day Diagnosed 3 days old
7/16/05
Have you thought about PKU Adoption? I have
The wait is worth it!
The First Picture we saw of our
daughter
Meeting our Daughter for the
first time Family Day 3/9/15
Have you Ever Considered PKU Adoption? I Have! • This is my story August 1982: Diagnosed May 2008: Married a July 2013: Fostered with PKU at birth in AZ, supportive husband local children diet for life
Have you Ever Considered PKU Adoption? I Have
• This is my story
January 2015:
April 2014: Fell in love with ANOTHER May 2015: Became mommy of 2
Fell in love with a picture! picture! sons with PKU!
Adoption truth or myth?
• Girls, Girls, Girls- There is a
huge need for families willing
to adopt a girl
• MYTH!
• About 75% of waiting children
eligible for international adoption
are BOYS!
Adoption truth or myth?
It takes years to finally adopt
• MYTH
• Depending on your state, a home
study will likely take 2-3 months
• After the home study, most families
travel 8-10 months later
• Most families that have adopted PKU
children from China in recent years
have traveled within about a year of
deciding to adoptAdoption truth or myth?
• I may not like the child assigned
to my family.
• MYTH
• YOU decide which child to adopt.
With many PKU children, you pick a
specific child before starting any
paperwork.
• If you do the more “traditional” way
and begin the process first, your
agency will recommend a child’s file,
based on preferences you’ve
indicated. You can always decline
and wait for the referral of another
child.Adoption truth or myth?
• Adoption is a wonderful thing.
It’s all rainbows and unicorns!
• SOME TRUTH, SOME MYTH!
• All children adopted have grief and
most have bonding and attachment
challenges.
• Many have delays: some orphanage-
related and some PKU-related.
• Every parent will tell you they love
their adopted child as much as a
biological child & wouldn’t give them
back for the world!Adoption truth or myth?
• It’s EXPENSIVE! You have to be rich
to adopt!
• MYTH
• There are many grants, fundraising ideas,
and low-interest loans to support
adoptive families.
• There is an IRS tax credit that may help
immensely
• Many families have fundraised most (or
even ALL!) of their adoption expenses!
• The fees are paid in small amounts
throughout the process, not a lump sumThe Need
Learn Why Families give up Children
• The One Child Policy
• Gender
• Cost
• Special Needs
• Desperation
• For some children we
will never know the true
reason.What care is given in Orphanages and Foster Homes? • Formula • American Metabolic formula • Chinese Metabolic formula • Mung Bean Milk • Regular Formula • Nothing
What Care is given in Orphanages and Foster Homes? • Diet • Rice • Congee • Seaweed • Tofu/Meat • Fruit • Vegtables • Eggs • Crackers • Low Protein Foods
What Care is given in the Orphange and Foster
Home
• The level of care received varies
greatly between each foster care
and orphanage that we have
observed.
• Some children have received
excellent care while others have
not.
• Some children have required
extensive therapies in the US
and some have needed none at
all.What type of care is given in the orphanage/foster home?
• Diagnosis and are varies widely
• Some children were diagnosed before being abandoned
• Some children weren’t diagnosed until after being in the orphanage
for some time and delays were detected
• Some orphanages have access to metabolic food/formula for their
residents
• Some orphanages are only able to provide formula “gifted” to them
(“donations” are not welcomed, culturally)
• Some orphanages do not fully understand the importance of
formula
• ALL children are affected by PKU just like our loved ones, and ALL
need top-notch PKU treatment ASAP by families and clinics like
ours!The Requirements • The content in the following slides titled Requirements was provided by Kathy Junk with WASATCH adoptions and is used with permission.* *direct quoted conversation with details is available upon request • Kathy Junk • Program Inquiries & Waiting Child Specialist • Wasatch Adoptions • 1140 36th Street #204 • Ogden, UT 84403 • 801-334-8683 • fax: 801-334-0988
What are requirements for adopting (from China)? • Stable married couples or single females may adopt from China • At least 30 years of age* (*at time of dossier submission, some steps may happen before 30th birthday) • If both parents are over 50, the youngest parent cannot be more than 50 years older than the child (waivers on this rule are common) • If a single woman adopts, she cannot be more than 45 years older than the child (waivers are possible) • Couples should be married 2 years, or 5 years if previous divorce(s) (waivers on length of marriage are possible)
China requirements (continued)
• Physically and mentally fit with no health issues that are not well
controlled (a touchy subject sometimes, agencies work with families to determine if any issues
are present)
• BMI of all parents must be under 40
• “Mental disorders such as mania, anxiety, phobia,
depression, obsession, etc. will make a family ineligible
for adoption”
(exception: minor disorder and controlled with medication)
• Minimum of high school educationChina requirements (continued) • At least one parent with stable occupation and income • Annual income of $10,000 per family member (after adoption) (exception possible if within $20,000 of limit OR other factors ie. Military housing) • Single mothers must earn additional $10,000 per year • Net worth of $80,000 (single mothers net worth $100,000) (may be waived by approx. $20,000 if family has a good income) • No maximum number of children for married couples • Single women may only have 2 children prior to adoption (youngest 6 yrs old) (exceptions possible sometimes)
China requirements (continued)
• No criminal penalties, good morals, honorable behaviors,
abide by laws/regulations
• No history of violence or abuse
• No history of drugs
• No history of alcohol abuse or DUI (exceptions possible, depending on
how long ago DUI was)
• Multiple numbers of minor violations, traffic records, etc. may cause
problemsThe Adoption Process • Homestudy • Dossier • USCIS • LID (Log in Date) • LSC/LOA (Official Approval from China) • TA (travel approval) • Family Day!!!!
The “paperchase”
The Adoption Process • During the adoption process
you will be asked to collect/fill
out numerous forms.
• Your adoption agency and their
social worker will walk you
through each step.
• TIP: Get two originals of
everything as you complete
your homestudy so that you can
be compiling documents for
your dossier at the same time.
• Once all the documents are
collected and notarized you will
send them off for
Authentication.
• Then your paperwork will be
ready to be sent to China.Do I have to travel? YES • At least one parent must travel • It is preferred that both parents travel • Most trips are about 2-3 weeks long depending on which Province you adopt from • It is a great opportunity to see your Child’s birth country and learn as much about their past as you can
The Cost of Adoption
Fees vary between agencies,
The average cost of international states, and travel dates. Your
Adoption is $25,000-$35,000 adoption could cost more or less
than these averages.
Non agency Specific Breakdown
https://www.adoptivefamilies.co
m/how-to-adopt/cost-to-adopt-
from-china/Financing your Adoption Grants Loans • JSC Foundation • Pathways for Little Feet • Show Hope • America’s Christian Credit Union • Ephesians 3:20 Foundation • National Adoption Foundation • Brittany’s Hope • Fund Your Adoption • Katelyn’s Fund • ABBA Fund • Rollstone Foundation • Lifesong For Orphans
Financing your Adoption
Fundraising
Threads of
Yard Sales
Hope
Craft FairsFinancing your Adoption Get Creative! Think outside the box Look at what worked for other families and choose what works for your family
Support for Adopting Families • Facebook • your metabolic clinic • other adoptive parents in your area (PKU-related or non) • books related to adoption issues • www.nohandsbutours.com
What can I do to help
• Donate Formula or Low protein foods
• http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/get-involved/
• http://www.gwca.org/resources/charity-projects/
• https://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/get-involved/
• Donate to organizations that help PKU orphans
• Donate/support fundraisers for adopting families
• Advocate for children looking for families within your circlesAnd now, kids that CURRENTLY need families! Due to the ever-changing world of adoption files, the most up-to-date lists were not available when this presentation was prepared. At this time, we’d love to share info about current children awaiting families, as their sponsoring adoption agencies have given us permission. We apologize that we cannot have slides available to share!
Xièxiè (Thank You.)
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