Possible new requirements
As the rumor about new requirements starts to get louder and louder, we are also seeing more people who are saying they were turned down for apparently new things. I’m getting a lot of emails about whether I think someone’s particular issues will cause them to be denied, and I’m sorry that I don’t know anything more than the rumors that are floating around right now.
So, perhaps we can come up with a list of the things that are now rumored to be something that can get you denied?
- Weighing over 300 pounds
- Being in a wheelchair (this is confusing, as apparently there are still wheelchair bound people being matched, yet someone has also been turned down for being in a wheelchair)
- Having a drug or alcohol problem in your past, the new rumor is that you must be “clean” for at least 10 years
- Having an organ transplant
- If you have a history of cancer you must have been cancer free for 5 years
- Taking something the CCAA considers a “mind altering” drug (so far we know that apparently diazepam falls unto this category)
- Trangressions early in life, quite possibly something as small as underage posession of alcohol when you were 18
- When both parents have medical issues
These are the things that immediately come to mind. If there is something that I’ve missed I will add it to the list.
Please, remember that these are still rumors. We have seen people who have claimed to have been turned down based on one of these things. However, we don’t know if perhaps there were other circumstances. Maybe their net worth was right on the line, and that combined with the medical issue was just too much. Or maybe it was a combination of other factors that we don’t know about, and that the CCAA did not go into with them. Perhaps the CCAA told them what the biggest problem was and didn’t go into detail about how it was that problem combined with other very minor things that caused the denial. We don’t know. There is reason for concern, but I don’t think there is reason for panic at this stage.
If there is something you are concerned about then speak with your agency about it. They are the ones who will go to bat for you if there are questions. They are the ones who can best talk to you about whether there is a reason to be concerned or not.
As for the upcoming statement - the rumor is that this statement will be about the wait, about what to expect as far as wait times. There is no word on whether there will be a statement anytime soon about new requirements or new guidelines.
May 31st, 2006 at 12:14 pm
As far as the “transgressions early in life” (and btw….who doesn’t have one of those?!?! ;) ) it is my understanding (from my agency) that China never sees a “record/transgression” from one’s fingerprints. I thought they were cleared here, first, leaving China to know “only the good?!?” No?
May 31st, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Our very minor “trangression” was written right in our homestudy so unless that document doesn’t go to China we’re in for a nervous wait. I asked my social worker yesterday if she thinks we will have a problem and she said no. She has seen people with far worse get referrals in the past. But that is “the past’ so I’m still nervous.
May 31st, 2006 at 12:21 pm
Your police background checks become part of your dossier. Plus your social worker is supposed to put anything like that into your home study. So the CCAA does see it. This is apparently why many people are now being told to go to the expense of getting their records expunged before starting the adoption process.
May 31st, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Prior to our physicals our large China-only agency informed us that if there were any medical issues, we would need a doctor’s statement regarding the treatment, outcome or ongoing treatment in relation to our being able to successfully parent a child. I can tell you that our agency, as well as our SW was very thorough in examining our forms. So there are definitely issues that can stand in the way but the problem is everything is so vague. The only information we received about weight was that it was now going to be included in the homestudy. We didn’t have our SW add anything additional to the homestudy because our recent physicals reflected this information. Our agency received our dossier and never mentioned it so I am assuming its fine.
I also remember hearing a comment regarding the health of both parents and as long one parent is in good health than there shouldn’t be a problem.
As someone in a previous post said we all have issues, myself included but I am happily raising our seven year old son without incident. Being 42 and my husband 47 - we are trying to stay as fit and healthy as possible but let’s face it there are things that are beyond our control, which are part of the normal aging process.
May 31st, 2006 at 1:08 pm
I am not from the US. I started the adoption process in December of 2004. At that time, I was interviewing possible agencies to see which one I was going to go with. ALL of the agencies, at that time, asked me over the phone if I or my husband were “overweight” because that was one of the “medical” issues that China is strict about. I was told that if it was a potential issue, that a “pre-approval” may be needed. That was a long time ago so I don’t think this is new information. In my country, according to the agencies I spoke to, there have been cases where people were advised not to pursue China for adoption for this reason. This was also said to be the case in Korea. It seems to me that this was a long-standing consideration?
May 31st, 2006 at 1:20 pm
Has anyone heard or been told if there has been a change in how CCAA deals with people who are taking medication for depression or anxiety? We have an approved home study, and hubby takes medication for depression and we were assured this would not impact us whatsover in China. My husband’s doctor gave him a glowing report — his problem is a chemical imbalance rather easily treated with medication — and he has a great job and has an active normal life and would be a great parent. We were told China was not concerned about this because being on a medication proved that you were well in control of the situation. Anyone heard anything on this?
May 31st, 2006 at 1:28 pm
have the same issue Katiens.
Doctor had to write something in regards to the nature of the depression (i.e. mild, etc) and what the treatment is (or was) and how the patient is doing and whether he (the doctor) recommended or saw the patient as fit to be a parent.
we were told absolutely no worries.
May 31st, 2006 at 1:44 pm
There must be many of us in this position — treatment by Paxil, Prozac, etc. is very common in North America and rightly so — there is no reason to suffer with depression or anxety if you don’t have to. This is a very Westernized perspective I know… However, despite the positive reports by DH’s doctor and approval to adopt by our own Government (which really should be all the assurance CCAA needs in my humble opinion) — I now feel we are in jeopardy. Though, I asked my own agency about it Monday and was still told not to worry! Ack.
May 31st, 2006 at 1:54 pm
In regard to anxiety, our agency said that China has become more understanding toward this issue. When I suggested that there must be people living in China who suffer with anxiety - the answer was of course but at one time it wasn’t discussed.
May 31st, 2006 at 1:58 pm
katiens-
i really really really wouldn’t worry about it. :) besides (and hopefully not to offend anyone) I don’t think the Chinese are followers of Scientology. hehe.
May 31st, 2006 at 2:05 pm
tgredthread and mom222b
Thank you!!! I feel better now :) I don’t mind the wait so much as I mind the insecurity of ‘change in the wind’.
Thanks!!
May 31st, 2006 at 2:13 pm
katiens, the insecurity will play tricks on your mind. Stay busy, stay positive and listen to tgred and mom222b. It is not ‘if’…it is ‘when’. lid-8-8
May 31st, 2006 at 2:19 pm
O.K. with a LID of 6/23 … your post about possible difficulties w/restrictions is freaking me out! My hubby is so brutally honest and told our social worker that he was given a “ticket” for a minor in possession at 19. She of course put it in the home study and it caused us ALL sorts of a mess. We had to have the College Station (Texas) police department prove to our SW and agency that it was not an arrest … which it wasn’t. In the end we had to write a “grievance” letter to China saying how he made a poor choice to drink at 19 … before the legal age limit, was ticketed and served community service but did not feel that this would negatively effect his ability to parent a child. We have two children already and my husband doesn’t even drink a beer these days. Now I’m freaking out that his brutal honesty will cost us (13 years later!). When we researched the College Station PD .. they didn’t even have a record of his ticket. The USCIS even questioned why it was in the home study and yet we could show no proof of it existing. If he hadn’t of said anything …there would be nothing in any system that showed he was even ticketed! Like I said, we are 8 days from the last cut off and I am freaking out that we’ll get denied at the last possible minute. Could this really happen?
May 31st, 2006 at 2:24 pm
maliahsmom-
see above post by jfkof3. :)
and being 8 days from the last cut off? we’re envious. ;)
May 31st, 2006 at 2:32 pm
miliahsmom, i totally agree with tgred….relax and take a deep breath. yes, we are envious. you go girl!! in a short time you are going to be crying tears of joy. lid8-8
May 31st, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Ya’ll, please lets not super stress over this. At this point it is all rumors. I mean, yes, we know people have been denied, that part is not rumor, but we don’t know ALL of the specifics.
My personal working theory is that they’ve got a list of “if you fall into this category you will be denied” and another list of “if you have two of these things then you will be denied” and yet another list of “if you have three or more of these things then you will be denied”.
So, maybe having one minor indiscretion won’t get you denied, but having that on top of a very close net worth or income level plus taking medication that would not normally be a problem throws you onto shaky territory?
If ya’ll will remember, the State Department also expressed concern that some guidelines weren’t published and that they didn’t seem to be universally applying them.
My theory is the only thing that makes sense at this point, since we know that someone in a wheelchair was denied and yet others have been okay. And since we know that several people have been denied for being overweight and yet others are being matched.
Seriously - I didn’t post the list to freak people out but to try to get a handle on what the CCAA is doing. Maybe I should make it into two lists - one that seems to be a “no exceptions” list and another that seems to be a “maybe / maybe not” list?
May 31st, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Thanks for the wake up call. I am going to try to calm my fears and rest in the fact that it will happen … say it with me EVERYONE … it will happen! It has been a long 12 months. Our LID is also my son’s birthday so I am so hoping and praying on that our referral will come around then … two reasons to love June!
If anyone would like to check out our site …
http://www.journeytomaliah.com
It has music on it so it is not a “work safe” site. Turn down the sound and you should be fine.
Once again, thanks RQ for all your info continuously. It is now the one place I check first for any information!
May 31st, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I am curious about the diazepam for epilepsy issue. I was under the impression that Diazepam is only used for emergency medical treatment of a seizure, however people are not generally prescribe diazepam for a continual basis to treat the epilepsy.
I may be mistaken on this, however it sounds confusing as to why an emergency med would be reason for denial unless the med was needed very regularly, which could possibly mean that the epilepsy was not controlled?
If this is the situation, then it would relax many people who have controlled epilepsy.
Any more info on this RQ?
May 31st, 2006 at 3:23 pm
I am not a health care professional, I don’t know. I googled _diazepam seizures_ and found this page:
This makes it appear that it needs to be taken regularly to work, not just in an emergency. But then it also gives a warning about taking it for more than four months, and it sounded like the person posting about it had been taking it for years. I honestly don’t know anything about this medication other than what I can google, and feel that any speculation I might make about this wouldn’t be appropriate. This is too far outside of my personal knowledgebase, sorry.
May 31st, 2006 at 3:26 pm
so would it be wrong to take medication to relax? just wondering….hehe ;)
p.s. my pharmacy has a shelf dedicated just for me. okay, maybe not a whole shelf…
okay all those with June LIDS that are coming up MUST…i repeat MUST share links to referral pics when you get them…or else! :)
-a public service announcement brought to you by tgredthread.
May 31st, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Thanks RQ. I guess I just wondered if the person had expanded on this subject more to get a feel for why Diazepam was used regularly.
Keep up the great job!
May 31st, 2006 at 3:44 pm
tgred, you are a absolute HOOT !! We most definite need RQ, but you sure add a dash of much needed humor in our day. I say we will see another batch of referrals the first part of June. Oscar, I did not dream that, it is my opinion with all that I have read. Just my opinion. lid-8-8
May 31st, 2006 at 4:05 pm
*bows*
thank you jfkof3. sometimes I think we all need alittle humour and to lighten things up. and it seems the meds finally kicked in (KIDDING!). Seriously though, as someone else posted…rumours are rumours and speculations are just speculations. There are some that lean towards the very believable, but all in all we need to relax and not let alot of this get to us (even though it’s difficult sometimes).
only other thing I want to add is that while I think it would be great to see another referral group in the next couple of weeks, my question would be is…and maybe RQ can help with this…why send out a referral batch roughly mid-month? if they get to a certain point, couldn’t they just keep on workin’ and send out one larger group at the end of the month?
oh and I posted on another thread asking if anyone knew what percentage (annually, i would presume) of the China adoptions go to the States typically?
May 31st, 2006 at 4:19 pm
TG - It is apparently pretty complicated to put a “batch” together. They line up agency bundles on one side and orphanage bundles on another. They say, this agency has 9 families and this orphanage has 9 babies so put them together. And this agency has 17 families and these two orphanages that are close to each other have a combined 14 babies and this other agency has three families so they all go together.
And then once they have done that then they sit down and match individual familes and babies.
And once that is all done then they stick them all in boxes that go to the agencies and ship them off.
Supposedly right now the hold up is the number of baby dossiers that are coming in. In the past I think they just worked for about a month and then sent what the had. But now that they are apparently sitting around waiting on paperwork to come in, it might actually make sense to put batches together as they can and then ship them out as they get done.
I dont’ know, I’m just guessing… but if that’s the case then it makes sense. And if that is the case then having them send them out more often is a GOOD thing.
As for the number of US adoptions - at one point apparently the U.S. accounted for more than 90% of all adoptions from China. Not sure what that might be now.
May 31st, 2006 at 4:37 pm
thanks RQ! that does make a bit more sense…and we’re for things they do that are Good and Positive to help pick up the pace.
and thanks as well on the other thing. I was just wondering and well, playing with numbers and speculations. ;)
May 31st, 2006 at 5:04 pm
I was arrested in college and the charges were dropped. I picked a flower- don’t ask-but it was in our first HS for our first adoption. It was in this one as well. We are LID 6/30. I e mailed my agency and said I was freaking out about this. I was told we have been through the review room, there was nothing said about it and I shouldn’t worry. If you have 8 days left, I don’t think you should worry either. BTW our first daughter is from Kunming and it is known as the City of Eternal Spring, so I thought that was funny.
May 31st, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Ok this is my first post. I have just been watching up till now. I am very stressed out about this weight rumor that keeps popping up. I am with a BIG China only agency and have now talked to them 3 times about this. Each time I am told we have no problem, this is not a rule and we will be ok. So I am trying hard not to stress about it. But my new question is I keep seeing people say they are going to be tougher on finances? And if your networth is too close they will turn you down. What does that mean. Do you mean you just have to have the $30,000 if you are a family of 3? Or is there an actual networth that China goes by?
May 31st, 2006 at 6:21 pm
This is the first time I’ve posted but I thought I should tell you our situation. We were told by our agency (large china only) that you could not adopt from china if you had ever been arrested. Since my husband had been when he was a teenager and it showed on his background check even though he was never convicted and a juvinile, we had to get it espounged. This caused my paperwork to get to china a couple of months later than it should have but our agency said we had to do it. I’m not sure if it is mentioned in our homestudy I will have to pull out the paperwork and check but I know he also had to write a letter saying how sorry he was and would never do it again. They made us do this for the I171-H.
May 31st, 2006 at 7:14 pm
kunming1…. FLOWER?…. what’dja do…. smoke it???
May 31st, 2006 at 9:30 pm
Boots- I didn’t smoke it, ( I never inhaled) no really, it was a small town with nothing for the cops to do.