No European Referrals
I see where two agencies received packages in Europe and they were not referrals. I’m not sure what they were, but I’m kind of assuming they may have been NSN TA’s, since one of the countries does not have a SN program.
I will be keeping an eye out for other rumors today.
If anyone hears something please PM or email it to me, though.
I’d like to ask the folks in the SN program if you are seeing any kind of slowdown in the number of TA’s being issued. If we are seeing them slow things down as much as possible due to H1N1, then I would think we’d see them slowing things down in the SN program, too.
As has been said before… when they closed things due to SARS we had months of ridiculous excuses before they made it official. There are a lot of people who think that is what is going on now. I’m still on the fence, realizing it is quite possible that is what is happening, but also realizing the “excuses” this time could also be sort of legitimate. But if the SN program seems to be slowing as well then that would point a bit more to them trying to keep the number of travelers to a minimum.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:05 am
RumorQueen, do you mean NSN at the end of the 4th paragraph where it reads “If we are seeing them slow things down as much as possible due to H1N1, then I would think we’d see them slowing things down in the SN program, too.”
Doug
LID 3/3/09
November 16th, 2009 at 9:32 am
NO, I meant SN. The NSN program has been slowed down by referrals coming slower than has been the norm. And fewer referrals given means fewer TA’s given.
So my question is whether things are slowing down in the SN program as well. Do we see evidence, in both programs, that they are trying to keep the number of travelers to a minimum. I see possible evidence in one program, and I’m asking about the other.
I’m not completely convinced either way yet, but I agree that the possibility that this slow down is due to H1N1 is certainly there. Unfortunately, based on past performance we know that we have to watch what they do, not listen to what they say.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:40 am
RQ, Our agency received a HUGE amount of TAs last week for SN families. BUT these families waited 3 months. I tend to get the feeling though that the extended TA wait has more to do with H*gue than on the other side of things. These families that received TA are scheduled to leave 12/3 and many are saying on their blogs the group includes 20+ families.
On the NSN yah*o group, there are families reporting the receipt of their TAs as well and are also saying they’re traveling with the 12/3 group. Our agency does send SN and NSN families together as well.
I can PM you agency name if you need it.
November 16th, 2009 at 9:44 am
I know that this is gonna sound somewhat stupid after having gone thru this for almost 4 years but the one thing I just keeping wondering is why dont CHINA just be honest????? They are so big on saving face and tradition and such so why not just be honest???? It amazes me that they just keep expecting us to just take these punches over and over and over again with absolutely no explanation. I know that at the end of this journey we will all have our babies but we are all just human and this wait is hard on all of us!!!!!
November 16th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I realize NSN TA’s are coming about as expected after referrals, but since referrals aren’t coming about as expected, it’s still slowing the TA’s down. (It makes sense when I think it, not so much sense when I type it, so I hope you understand what I’m trying to say.)
I know the SN room has a chart they are keeping, I should probably go take a look at that and see if the wait times are creeping up (on average) or if they seem to be staying about the same.
————
franceskasmom – the “easy” answer is that it’s a cultural thing. However, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The CCAA needs to realize that this whole “cultural thing” goes both ways, and when they are standing on a world stage with a huge international audience listening to what they have to say, they need to take a few of their own steps towards bridging that cultural gap. And that should mean telling the truth. Of course, what I say doesn’t amount to much on the world stage, but I am entitled to my opinion, and that’s it.
Realistically (as opposed to ideally)… we are dealing with a government that feels it doesn’t owe it’s people (or the world) any explanations about anything at all… and we are dealing with a culture that feels it is more polite to tell you what you want to hear than it is to tell you the truth.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Totally agreed RQ and very well said.
Kristy
lid 4/21/06
franceskasjourneyhome.blogspot.com
November 16th, 2009 at 10:18 am
We are in Guangzhou now. We were told NOT to go to the hospital, if at all possible, because so many children were there with H1N1. Our daughter got sick, however, NOT with H1N1, and no one seemed terribly concerned. Our daughter is recovering nicely, and life is pretty good. The long, long wait IS WORTH IT! Hang in there…
November 16th, 2009 at 10:19 am
If they really are worried about H1N1, couldn’t CCAA just require proof of vaccination from travelers in order to get a visa – much the same way that some regions require proof of yellow fever vaccination? I know there are many reasons people do not want to get the vaccine, but if it meant smoothing out the process and ensuring we could receive referrals and travel in a more timely manner, I think a lot of people would be willing to get the vaccine.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:39 am
We are getting our vax today. I am just so disappointed…I just want to stay in bed all day!
w4k
4/4/06
November 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
I know there were alot of PA’s, LOA’s, and TA’s logged in the SN chart last week. We were one of them. I really think that SN will continue to speed up and NSN will continue to slow down.
LID 9/12/2007
DOR 10/29/2009
LOI 11/3/2009
PA 11/12/2009
Waiting on LOA
November 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I know you were waiting until after referrals to post the LID poll results but since we are sitting around w/o much good stuff to talk about, would you consider posting those results before referrals? I’ve be eager to see those numbers and if they have changed much from the previous poll.
thank you
November 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Where are those TA’s???? Someone open those packages and tell us what’s in them I am ready to bring my baby home!!! Who else is still waiting for TA?
November 16th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Zhaonuer, I think it would be really difficult for CCAA to require H1N1 vaccination. In my area, the distribution is absolutely ridiculous. Not everyone who wants it can get it.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
We are waiting on our TA. Our agency said that the US Embassy held up our file and others for about 30 plus days when they usually transfer the file to CCAA in 3-5 days. Our agency is seeing a 4 week turnaround on the TA once CCAA gets the file from the US Embassy. We are suppose to travel on December 3rd. I am very worried that is not going to happen. We are in the SN program. I think the Embassy has delayed our TA and CCAA is operating normally on the SN program. Does anyone think TAs are sent out randomly when completed or are they sent in batches once a month? This is a crazy process since we went NSN in 2004. More paper and more wait. It will all be worth it when I hold her in my arms. I guess it is a lot like Labor Pains . . . you forget all about the pain and the waiting when you hold them in your arms. AND you would do it all over again. The joy of Gotcha Day is beyond description. It is joyful. Good Luck to all who are waiting. Those precious babies wait for your loving families to come get them.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I hope they do not require proof of vaccine for H1N1. Our family had decided against getting the vaccine.
daughter4us
LID 4/3/06
November 16th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I have never responded previously, but have been reading for 3 years. We were in the NSN program with LID of 9/29/2006. When we finally accepted the fact it would probably be at least another 3 years, I called our agency on 10/14/2009 and asked about SN. We went over the things we would accept over the phone, as our agency had just received the SN list. On 10/19/2009 we were matched with our wonderful little girl and did the LOI. We received our LOC a week later. We are now waiting on TA with our agency saying we will probably be traveling in January. I know SN is not for everyone, we did not think it was for us either, but our daughter is finally coming home!
RQ–Due to your information, we thought long and hard and made the switch to SN. Thank you so much!
November 16th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Sophiapeyton, I am with you. I am ready to hear somthing about our TA. Ta’s started arriving for a few families on November 5th. We are all more than ready to get going!!! I am still hoping to hear something today.
http://www.ourchinaangel.com
LID 3/27/06
Ref 10/12/09
November 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
LID for Mia Jade: We are still in the window of when referrals should arrive. If we get too close to the end of the window without a hint that they are about to be let loose then I’ll go ahead and close the poll a little early.
November 16th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
could the Pre$idents visit to China have any influence with referral delays?
November 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I wonder if the CCAA’s greater concern is managing H1N1 among the paper ready and/or matched children -
how do they guarantee that a child is still adoptable (alive) by the time the adopting parents arrive to take the child home – or even that the child is well enough to leave the country. I can’t imagine the tragedy of something like this.
It is better to wait until the worst of the flue season is over and safely begin the matches once more.
(we are LID days away from receiving our match; although the thought of “suspending” matches is difficult to accept, the greater picture is likely a better choice). just a thought.
November 16th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
happygirl….I was wondering the same thing about the President…………
drito…..That’s wonderful for you……..my hubby and I talked to our agency about switching to SN and we were told the timeframe would be about the same!!!!!!!!!!! Are you still going to get your NSN child? How old is your SN child? Girl or Boy? Congrats to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again…RQ….THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO! I LOVE your site and am on it EVERY day!
LID 4/3/06
November 16th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
huntergirl……As my husband is 50 and I am 44, we only want 1 child and will not be continuing in the NSN program. Our little girl is 13 months old at this time.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
drito- would you mind to share what your child’s needs are? My husband and I are still in line for NSN (LID 3/08) However, as the time grows longer and longer, we have thought about switching, however, not sure what we could handle in terms of needs.
Now that the vaccine is available, I wonder if the CCAA will want folks to receive this before traveling? I am an NP, and just lost a dear 24 year old patient to the H1N1. It was about 48 hours from onset to death. I personally believe this is very serious.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
We switch to the SN program this summer and just got LOA, which means TA will be right around the corner – I can’t believe this is finally happening!!! We were DTC 7-28-06 and just couldn’t stand the wait any longer.
WNCwait: our daughter’s special need is that she had a small artery that feeds into the heart which didn’t close after birth like it should. After a small procedure, which was performed in China, she is perfectly fine and healthy. We had the local children’s hospital review her file and the echo of her hear. They told us this is a routine condition that happens on a regular basis. Her outcome looked fine and they were very satisfied with the results from her surgery. She is 3 years old and had the procedure done about a year ago. We were apprehensive also, but are soooo glad we made the switch. Good luck with your decision.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I have never responded on RQ, or any other web site for that matter, but I have followed the information and discussions on RQ for the past 3 years.
If it had not been for RQ, we would never have become parents. Our agency was just as incompetent and untrustworthy as most others regarding the announced waiting time. In 2007 they still said the waiting time would be around 12 months and it took them another year and a half to admit it could go beyond 3 years.
In the late fall of 2006 I found the RQ site and came to know the shocking truth about the waiting time. My world fell apart. I realized that with a LID in August 2006 we were in for a long wait and too long for us ever to adopt a NSN child. In our country the adoption approval is valid for three years. Ours would expire in 2009 and we would have to apply all over again. Then our authorities would probably not approve us due to our age; the three years gone by while waiting in line in China would have made us a bit too old for the rather strict age requirements in our country.
We had never considered adopting a SN child, but thanks to the eye opening information on RQ we started exploring the possibilities and decided to apply. In competition with other appilicants we were approved as parents to a 2 year old boy (born with unilateral cleft lip/jaw/palate) in 2007. He is the most wonderful and precious little boy! Our life together is an adventure filled with joy and happiness.
Not a day goes by without me thinking of RQ. You do a fantastic job and we are so greatful to you! Thank you RQ for giving us the opportunity to become parents!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I have read about the slow down and decided to inquire about switching over to SN. I do not understand why some people can switch over within weeks and be matched with a child. I contacted my ever useful agency and was told it would take anywhere from 8-10 months to get placed into the SN line. I am so frustrated I thought by changing to SN there may be a hope in heck we could see a referal in the near future but I am so ticked to find out yet another lengthy line with no end in sight!!!!!
LID August 2006
November 16th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
We received our Travel Approval today from our agency at 5:36 pm eastern time. Our tentative travel dates are as follows. Fly to China on Dec. 2nd, Gotcha Day on Dec. 7th (which will be Chloe’s 9 month birthday, awesome), and fly back home on Dec. 17th. We should be HOME for CHRISTMAS. Still getting goosebumps every time we talk about it (which is constantly). What a Christmas present. Good luck to all who are still waiting. This feeling is undescribeable. LID 3-27-06: Referral Date 10-12-09
http://www.ourchinaangel.com
November 16th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
We switched to SN and had a referral within DAYS. We were open to a boy though since we already have 2 girls. If you want AYAP girl with a minor need then you will have a longer wait. Our baby is just 13 months old and his need is minor.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Rumor Queen, could you please email me I have some information I do not want made public, but feel you should know. I am unable to email you from this computer as I am not very computer literate.
Thank you for your time and imput.
spreski@yahoo.com
November 16th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
In large part due to reading this great forum, we switched to SN this summer.
Two weeks after submitting our revised homestudy to our agency, we were matched with a 15-mth old girl with a heart murmur caused by a tiny hole in her heart (VSD) that will probably close on its own before she reaches age 10. She is smiling and healthy in her referral pictures. We were prepared to accept a child needing heart surgery, but it turns out she needs no medical intervention at all.
We were LID Nov 2007 and there was no way we were willing to wait another 5 years. We wanted to keep the age difference between our three kids to 2 years. We signed our LOA on September 28 and are told by our agency that TAs are coming in quickly, so they expect us to leave on December 11, returning on December 24. We can’t wait!
November 17th, 2009 at 8:58 am
WNCwait……An orthopedic surgeon said he thinks she has brachial plexus palsy of her left arm, which is a common injury during birth. The arm is pulled away from the head, which causes tendon and nerve injury. She will need physical therapy and possibly surgery. If the damage is not too severe, her arm should be fine after treatment. If severe, her motion may be limited.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Good Morning, all…… ugh…. no new rumor, I see. :(
RQ – Couldn’t you just make something up?? LOL…. at this point, anything is better than nothing!!! :(
“Sister for Issac”….. Best of luck to you! You have a beautiful family and Chloe is just precious!!! :)
All of you “SN” families are an inspiration! My husband and I looked into that back in 08 but were told that we couldn’t do it because of our agency. We weren’t brave enough to look elsewhere at the time. God bless all of your beautiful and very lucky babies!! They are blessed to have such loving forever families!
So for now we continue to wait….. and hope that our prayers are answered SOON!
LID – 4/4/06
November 17th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
We have our TA!!
Awaiting CA now-
Asister 4 Isaac, looks likw we have the exact travel timeline-keep in touch-
http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/jenny
November 18th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
My SN process is very fast! I received my SN referral on Oct. 15. Received my PA 2 weeks later. Received my LOA in just one week and was just told that my TA will arrive today which will be 2 weeks of waiting. I know that many people have waited forever for these steps but all I can say is that I must be needed in China to get my daughter quickly! Hoping to travel in December for my daughter in Guangdong Province, Huazhou SWI. BTW, my LID was 7-22-06 so I was already thru with paperwork and review room.
Tricia