As I have mentioned before we are on our agencies list of families who are interested in children on their waiting children lists. Our agency typically receives a new list every 3 months and it typically has 7-9 children who are currently available for adoption in China. This is different then a typical referral (which we would probably not receive for atleast 2 years). These children are considered special needs children, and are considered difficult to place. Many times they are older children (over the age of 2) and even more often they are young children who have minor and or correctable special needs. We have indicated to our agency that we are interested in a girl younger then age 3 and we are open to reviewing any special needs except Hepatitis B, and moderate to severe special needs such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida. (most often children with moderate to severe special needs are not placed on a waiting child list because China does not allow these children to be adopted internationally).
I spoke with our agency yesterday and found out that we are currently 15th on their list for a waiting child referral, so that is great news for us! It doesn't really tell us exactly how long the wait will be, because it all depends on what children the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) sends our agency. If all they have on their list is children whom they cannot place with any of the 14 couples ahead of us, then we will continue to wait until all 14 in front of us have their referral or they have a child that those in front of us do not feel comfortable parenting but we do. Most of the couples in front of us are requesting a girl as we are, but it is my understanding that many of them are not open to some of the special needs we are open to, such as Cleft Lip and/or palate. Which in my research and opinion seems to be a very correctable special need.
We are hopeful that we will have a referral around the beginning of the year and we will be able to travel in the Spring of 2008 (hopefully before the Olympics start). This of course is just my hopes and prayers. Steve is excited as well, about having a little girl, but the costs of another adoption and a third child scares him a little.
