Comments on: Various things http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/ Join the Rumor Queen as she looks for the latest rumors and then analyzes them, trying to figure out what the CCAA will do next. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:23:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: cmbj http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1673 cmbj Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:22:24 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1673 TJLand, I think what you have said is right on. My cancer was noninvasive and my doctor's letter basically said that I was cured without using that word. I am very grateful that CCAA paid attention to that letter. Clearly there are many cancers that a 5 year wait is significant for the future health of the individual, but just a global rule requiring a 5 year wait for any type of cancer I certainly hope is never imposed. TJLand,

I think what you have said is right on. My cancer was noninvasive and my doctor’s letter basically said that I was cured without using that word. I am very grateful that CCAA paid attention to that letter. Clearly there are many cancers that a 5 year wait is significant for the future health of the individual, but just a global rule requiring a 5 year wait for any type of cancer I certainly hope is never imposed.

]]> By: RumorQueen http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1651 RumorQueen Thu, 01 Jun 2006 10:59:57 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1651 seachange - as Chinamama said, this is an Australian rule that apparently varies somewhat by states within Australia. Chinamama - thanks for further clarifying this for us. seachange - as Chinamama said, this is an Australian rule that apparently varies somewhat by states within Australia.

Chinamama - thanks for further clarifying this for us.

]]> By: seachange http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1650 seachange Thu, 01 Jun 2006 10:01:55 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1650 RQ, can someone please clarify whether the 30+ BMI cut-off is a requirement of a particular state in Australia or if it is actually a new CCAA requirement? BTW [and not to open the whole weight issue again] the BMI can be quite an unreliable way to measure health. My niece is a Nationals Competition level athlete in surfski,rowing and biking [this girl is SCULPTED and scarily fit] but her BMI is over 30 because of her very high ratio of muscle and low percentage of fat. Having said that though, of course CCAA can impose whatever restrictions it wants. I am just really hoping they won't be inflexible when those of us affected by these new restrictions have their dr's medical clearance. RQ, can someone please clarify whether the 30+ BMI cut-off is a requirement of a particular state in Australia or if it is actually a new CCAA requirement?

BTW [and not to open the whole weight issue again] the BMI can be quite an unreliable way to measure health.

My niece is a Nationals Competition level athlete in surfski,rowing and biking [this girl is SCULPTED and scarily fit] but her BMI is over 30 because of her very high ratio of muscle and low percentage of fat.

Having said that though, of course CCAA can impose whatever restrictions it wants. I am just really hoping they won’t be inflexible when those of us affected by these new restrictions have their dr’s medical clearance.

]]> By: Chinamama http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1649 Chinamama Thu, 01 Jun 2006 04:42:58 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1649 Just to clarify the Australian system a little further...each state in Australia has its own criteria (including weight criteria). In Queensland you cannot have a BMI of >30 without having to undergo medical testing inclding liver function tests, cholesterol tests and glucose tests. If there is an abnormality with any of these investigations then you have to fight very hard (often for YEARS) before you are allowed to even be assessed for adoption. Your doctor's opinion does not matter that much - it is the opinion of the medical panel convened by the state government that decides whether you are fit and healthy enough to proceed with the adoption assessment process. I have been through this process, as have many of my adoption friends. It's not fun! So, it's not just a case of having a doctor "on your side" in some parts of Australia, although I cannot speak for all the states. Chinamama Just to clarify the Australian system a little further…each state in Australia has its own criteria (including weight criteria). In Queensland you cannot have a BMI of >30 without having to undergo medical testing inclding liver function tests, cholesterol tests and glucose tests. If there is an abnormality with any of these investigations then you have to fight very hard (often for YEARS) before you are allowed to even be assessed for adoption. Your doctor’s opinion does not matter that much - it is the opinion of the medical panel convened by the state government that decides whether you are fit and healthy enough to proceed with the adoption assessment process.

I have been through this process, as have many of my adoption friends. It’s not fun!

So, it’s not just a case of having a doctor “on your side” in some parts of Australia, although I cannot speak for all the states.

Chinamama

]]> By: TJ_Land http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1639 TJ_Land Thu, 01 Jun 2006 02:00:31 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1639 On the cancer wait periods, we were told by our large China-only agency that there are different wait periods required for different kinds of cancer. That was last August when we first sent in our application. I had a very non-threatening thyroid tumor which was removed in May 2005, just 3 months before. We received pre-approval from China based on our doctor's positive letter. So there is some flexibility in the wait periods, based on individual circumstances. However, our agency did also ask us to sign a 'medical risk waiver' acknowledging that China could change their requirements at any time and that pre-approval is not binding. So we're anxiously waiting to be in the review room! Which will be a while since we're LID February '06. Just thought this could be helpful. Has anyone else had any experiences with China and thyroid issues? Thanks! On the cancer wait periods, we were told by our large China-only agency that there are different wait periods required for different kinds of cancer. That was last August when we first sent in our application. I had a very non-threatening thyroid tumor which was removed in May 2005, just 3 months before. We received pre-approval from China based on our doctor’s positive letter. So there is some flexibility in the wait periods, based on individual circumstances.

However, our agency did also ask us to sign a ‘medical risk waiver’ acknowledging that China could change their requirements at any time and that pre-approval is not binding. So we’re anxiously waiting to be in the review room! Which will be a while since we’re LID February ‘06.

Just thought this could be helpful. Has anyone else had any experiences with China and thyroid issues?
Thanks!

]]> By: cmbj http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1633 cmbj Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:10:37 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1633 Thanks DebbieY. Hope you and everyone else gets matched sooner than we are expecting. It will happen! Thanks DebbieY. Hope you and everyone else gets matched sooner than we are expecting. It will happen!

]]> By: DebbieY http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1624 DebbieY Wed, 31 May 2006 23:52:55 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1624 Hi Again cmbj, I'm just stating what my agency says they've been told by CCAA. I'm aware there are some agencies who do not wish to tell prospective clients that certain policies originate with them, thereby "hiding" behind the CCAA - claiming some agency rules to be CCAA rules. I'm certain our agency does not do that. They are extremely upfront and honest, so I most certainly don't believe they've done so here. Nevertheless, you've contacted your agency and they have assured you that CCAA has no such hard and fast rule at present. In light of that, I am very, very hopeful for you that your desire to adopt again will be fulfulled, and I look forward to hearing you've been matched :-) Hi Again cmbj,

I’m just stating what my agency says they’ve been told by CCAA.

I’m aware there are some agencies who do not wish to tell prospective clients that certain policies originate with them, thereby “hiding” behind the CCAA - claiming some agency rules to be CCAA rules. I’m certain our agency does not do that. They are extremely upfront and honest, so I most certainly don’t believe they’ve done so here.

Nevertheless, you’ve contacted your agency and they have assured you that CCAA has no such hard and fast rule at present. In light of that, I am very, very hopeful for you that your desire to adopt again will be fulfulled, and I look forward to hearing you’ve been matched :-)

]]> By: cmbj http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1622 cmbj Wed, 31 May 2006 23:30:38 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1622 DebbieY and RQ: My agency still advises that the CCAA does not currently have a stated time period for which someone must be cancer free. They will rely on the doctor's opinion about the future health of the individual. We are waiting on our second referral and our dossier has completed reviewe without question. I'm not saying that there are not given circumstances where the CCAA will impose a 5 or other year wait, but that's not always the case and so global statements can be misleading. And yes, the CCAA may very well impose such a requirement and I can only hope that if they do it won't be retroactive and I feel for anyone such a rule does affect. DebbieY and RQ:

My agency still advises that the CCAA does not currently have a stated time period for which someone must be cancer free. They will rely on the doctor’s opinion about the future health of the individual. We are waiting on our second referral and our dossier has completed reviewe without question.

I’m not saying that there are not given circumstances where the CCAA will impose a 5 or other year wait, but that’s not always the case and so global statements can be misleading. And yes, the CCAA may very well impose such a requirement and I can only hope that if they do it won’t be retroactive and I feel for anyone such a rule does affect.

]]> By: DebbieY http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1616 DebbieY Wed, 31 May 2006 23:07:43 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1616 Hi cmbj, I believe my agency was notified of this "cancer" rule within the past year or so. It is my understanding that this is now a CCAA rule, not an agency one. I'm so glad things worked out for you :-) Hi cmbj,

I believe my agency was notified of this “cancer” rule within the past year or so. It is my understanding that this is now a CCAA rule, not an agency one.

I’m so glad things worked out for you :-)

]]> By: RumorQueen http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1596 RumorQueen Wed, 31 May 2006 20:49:15 +0000 http://chinaadopttalk.com/2006/05/31/various-things/#comment-1596 cmbj - you are correct that this was not CCAA's position three years ago. The question is what is their position right now. The guidelines are changing and people are being denied for things that wouldn't have made them bat an eye three years ago. cmbj - you are correct that this was not CCAA’s position three years ago. The question is what is their position right now. The guidelines are changing and people are being denied for things that wouldn’t have made them bat an eye three years ago.

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