I have epilepsy and its not that bad but in the future I want to adopt. Questions?

Question

Ok I have epelepsy if you don't know what it is don't answer. Thank you ! Ok Its not that bad I haven't had an episode in 2 years, But someone told me I was not allowed to adopt because of that is that true? Does anyone know about that? any stories?

Answer 1

Wow...it completely depends upon each agency or state deciding upon your placement.

Some say "absolutely not" to epilepsy, some say "get a physical and let your doctor tell us how it is".

Some say if you have eplilepsy, then you might not be able to adopt a child under 5, and some say as long as it's well managed, then fine.

I know this sounds vague...but you will find with each agency you ask, each one will have different health standards of their prospective adoptive parents.

Answer 2

I can't imagine in this day and age that epilepsy (alone) would be a reason to exclude you as a potential parent.  This isn't the dark ages, for goodness sake!  There are so many new medications for seizure control today.  If you had a severe form of epilepsy with frequent, long lasting (static) seizures, and medication isn't working, MAYBE it would be an issue.  

In your case, it sounds like you have good seizure control.  Definetly do NOT let someone scare you away from adoption.  Check with your state or county's dept. of social services (DSS or CWS) or dept. of family & children  (DFCS) and find out directly from a social worker.  Private adoption is another option, where the mom & dad choose their child's adoptive parents.  Consider adopting an older child through the Fost-adopt program (some children in foster care are as young as a year or two).  These children need permanent homes with loving parents.  

Never never never let anyone tell you "you can't"!  Let that be instead your call to prove them wrong.  Where there's a will...

Good luck!