Anyone adopted a child with special needs overseas?

Question

I already have one child that is special needs, he is hearing impaired, so I know my limits, but I would be willing to adopt a low birthweight baby or a toddler, or possibly siblings. Just woundering if this is an area I should stay away from or not?

Answer 1

We adopted a little boy with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and a heart condition from Russia last year.  He was passed over by 29 other families before we adopted him.

It can be a very difficult dealing with so many doctors, hospitals, specialists, therapists and case workers; however, the postives far outweigh the negatives!!  My son is a gift to me and he is the best part of my every day!!!  I love him so much and I would have loved him and adopted him even if we had known about all of his medical problems (the only one we were told about was the heart condition).  

If you have support from you partner and family, know the resources available in your area to help you with caring for that child, then I say GO FOR IT emphatically to you!!!!!!  You and that child will both share in a love that's special and goes beyond words.

Good Luck to you!!

PS:  YES, we do receive the same care and subsidized therapies as a child that was adopted in the US!  Our child is our child, he became a citizen of the US when we landed on US soil, and he's a child with special needs.  They don't discriminate just because he's from another country.  Don't let that fallacy scare you off.

Answer 2

YOU  KNOW YOUR LIMITS. I GO FOR IT. WE AS A WORLD NEED PEOPLE THAT CAN ADOPTED SPECIAL NEEDS BABIES TOO. THEY ARE PEOPLE TOO. JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PERFECT.THEY NEED FAMILY AND PARNETS TOO. IT TAKE A SPECIAL PERSON TO DO WHAT YOU DO. I LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING....KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...

Answer 3

My sister and her husband have two adopted children, one of whom is special needs.  They adopted her when she was seven.  It is a lot of work, but they receive all of the benefits and assistance available to them (in comparison to a biological child with special needs).  If you have a heart for special needs children, then that is a wonderful thing and go for it!!!

Answer 4

We adopted a special needs child from here in the US.  If I were you, I would recommend trying to stay within our country for the special needs adoption.  The reason that I say this is that there are medical services and subsidies often available through the state for children with special needs.  I'm not sure if they would be offered to a child who was born outside the country.  Not that a special needs adoption should ever be about the money available, but I do believe that if you are taking on the additional responsibilities of a special needs child, you should take advantage of any programs available - such as medical assistance as a supplement to other health insurance, etc.  

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Considering a special needs child from overseas is a great idea! Those children are often passed up by adopting families in their own countries, so they become "waiting children" at their orphanages (meaning they are legally cleared for adoption and are now just waiting for a family to accept them). A lot of these kids have very mild or treatable conditions which are easier to handle with overseas medical facilities than in their own countries. Considering special-needs or older children (toddlers are often considered "older") also can reduce your time on the orphanage waiting list.

Answer 6

it's difficult ... but if you're willing to do it ... go right ahead

you have a very kind heart

Answer 7

hunn if u are strong enough to be able to learn and help a child with hearing impairment then i say go for it because some people arent strong enough to deal with having a child that has some kind of special needs ya know..... but i think u are a very strong woman and i say go for it all the way.....

Answer 8

I have adopted three children from China.  One was a healthy infant, the other two were older, with special needs.  My sixteen-year-old (adopted at age 10) had a heart condition.  It was surgically repaired, and she is now in perfect health.  My five year old (adopted at age 4) is hearing impaired, but not deaf.  She was recently fitted for hearing aids, and is doing beautifully with them.  After only a year and a half in this country, her English is perfect!    There are lots of children with special needs available from overseas, and most of the medical conditions are mild or treatable.  I would definitely look into it!

Answer 9

I have never adopted, but I do have a special needs child.  be sure that this is what you want.  I would not trade my son for anything in the world, and I did not choose his "disability".  do your research, find out what you could deal with if you were to choose a special needs child.  my son has static encephalopathy, which is essentially cerebral palsy.  there were many doctor's appointments, many nights spent washing sheets to clean up the vomit from his migraines, trips to the ER because the migraines won't subside without meds.  also, these types of children are prone to seizures (which, thankfully, we haven't had to deal with), doctors don't like prescribing meds because of possible side effects, and the meds may cause something that you're not having a problem with already.  check every disorder you can find, look deep, find out how much money it will take to care for these types of children, doctor's appointments, medications, physical therapies, and such.  and search your heart to find out if you have the patience to be a good parent for these children.  good luck!