11/19/2009
11/17/2009
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
Category None
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The Convention on the Rights of the Child Celebrates 20 Years!
On November 20, 2009 the Convention on the Rights of the Child will celebrate its 20th anniversary advocating for children everywhere. While for some a child having the right to an education and the simplicity of childhood is normal, others still view children as property. This is seen on a wide scale around the world where child labor laws are in place, but not enforced; where children are coerced and manipulated into being agents of war; and where children are tried and convicted as adults. The CRC called upon the human race to step up and take action against the injustices children face. The CRC is a voice for the abused and neglected children around the world. To read further about this, please visit www.unicef.org.
Bookmark :
The Convention on the Rights of the Child Celebrates 20 Years!
On November 20, 2009 the Convention on the Rights of the Child will celebrate its 20th anniversary advocating for children everywhere. While for some a child having the right to an education and the simplicity of childhood is normal, others still view children as property. This is seen on a wide scale around the world where child labor laws are in place, but not enforced; where children are coerced and manipulated into being agents of war; and where children are tried and convicted as adults. The CRC called upon the human race to step up and take action against the injustices children face. The CRC is a voice for the abused and neglected children around the world. To read further about this, please visit www.unicef.org.
11/13/2009
11/11/2009
Finding a Pediatrician
Category Taiwan adoption mongolian spots pediatrician
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Finding a Pediatrician
Finding
a pediatrician...
Finding a good pediatrician during your wait is an important task. It is the search for a physician to whom you will entrust the health of your child(ren). When we search for a physician for ourselves, we are looking for specific aspects of professionalism, experience, knowledge, specialty, and accessibility, among other things.
What questions do you ask when searching for a new physician?
-When searching for a gynecologist, do you prefer a woman or a man?
-When you are having difficulty seeing, do you search for a doctor that specializes in optometry?
-When you have a known medical condition, do you identify specialists in the field?
-Location and hours of operation?
-Medical training and/or area of specialty?
-Health Insurance coverage?
-Bedside manner?
-Overall mission and practice values?
Here are some thoughts to keep in mind while researching pediatricians for your child adopted from Taiwan:
-Is the doctor familiar with international children?
-Does the doctor have any patients that are adopted from Taiwan?
-Will the doctor be accessible to review your child's referral and medical information quickly?
-Does the doctor have privileges or connections to the local Children's Hospital and/or International Adoption Medical Clinic?
-Does the doctor have awareness of the Taiwanese culture, nutrition, and institutionalization system of orphans?
-Is the doctor familiar with "flat-head" on institutionalized children caused by being laid down for long periods of time?
-Does the doctor test for existing immunizations? There are blood tests (titers) which can measure how much the child has already been vaccinated for, rather than starting over or repeating immunizations.
-Is the doctor familiar with adoption related behaviors and concerns such as: abandonment, trauma, attachment/detachment issues, grief & loss, sleep issues and night-terrors, food related issues (hoarding, digesting & rejecting) body rocking & self-soothing, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc?
-If the child is "older" and speaking their native language initially, does the doctor speak that child's language or welcome translators?
-Is the doctor familiar with medical conditions that are common among Asian children?
-What are the doctor's opinions and suggestions for males that are not circumcised?
-Is the doctor aware that Asian children may appear "cross-eyed" in photographs due to the symmetry of their face?
Some common medical conditions among the Asian race are:
-Mongolian Spots:
Mongolian Blue Spots are flat birthmarks with wavy borders and irregular shapes, common among people of Asian, East Indian, African, and Latino heritage. They may be seen in about 10% of Caucasians to over 90% of African Americans. Bluish gray to deep brown to black skin markings, they often appear on the base of the spine, on the buttocks and back and even sometimes on the ankles or wrists. Mongolian spots may cover a large area of the back. The pigmented area has large concentrations of skin cells called melanocytes, with normal skin texture. They commonly appear at birth or shortly after birth and may look like bruises.
-Lactose-intolerant; milk or dairy allergy.
-Asian "sweet blood." Many Asian children have a bad reaction to mosquito bites & bee stings.
-It is common for Asian children to have a build-up of ear wax due to the head, face, and ear canal shape. This may affect the child's hearing and even balance, at times.
Tip: If you have the resources in your community and all else is equal, why not identify an Asian doctor for your child? Please note that Bethany Christian Services is not suggesting that you select your child's physician based solely on their race or ethnicity. For example, a woman may choose a female gynecologist as their gender preference if they feel more comfortable with her. In turn, you may also select a physician for your child based on your preference for their ethnicity and/or knowledge of the above mentioned topics. This physician could also potentially serve as a successful Asian role model for your child and your family.
Bookmark :
Finding a Pediatrician
Finding
a pediatrician... Finding a good pediatrician during your wait is an important task. It is the search for a physician to whom you will entrust the health of your child(ren). When we search for a physician for ourselves, we are looking for specific aspects of professionalism, experience, knowledge, specialty, and accessibility, among other things.
What questions do you ask when searching for a new physician?
-When searching for a gynecologist, do you prefer a woman or a man?
-When you are having difficulty seeing, do you search for a doctor that specializes in optometry?
-When you have a known medical condition, do you identify specialists in the field?
-Location and hours of operation?
-Medical training and/or area of specialty?
-Health Insurance coverage?
-Bedside manner?
-Overall mission and practice values?
Here are some thoughts to keep in mind while researching pediatricians for your child adopted from Taiwan:
-Is the doctor familiar with international children?
-Does the doctor have any patients that are adopted from Taiwan?
-Will the doctor be accessible to review your child's referral and medical information quickly?
-Does the doctor have privileges or connections to the local Children's Hospital and/or International Adoption Medical Clinic?
-Does the doctor have awareness of the Taiwanese culture, nutrition, and institutionalization system of orphans?
-Is the doctor familiar with "flat-head" on institutionalized children caused by being laid down for long periods of time?
-Does the doctor test for existing immunizations? There are blood tests (titers) which can measure how much the child has already been vaccinated for, rather than starting over or repeating immunizations.
-Is the doctor familiar with adoption related behaviors and concerns such as: abandonment, trauma, attachment/detachment issues, grief & loss, sleep issues and night-terrors, food related issues (hoarding, digesting & rejecting) body rocking & self-soothing, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc?
-If the child is "older" and speaking their native language initially, does the doctor speak that child's language or welcome translators?
-Is the doctor familiar with medical conditions that are common among Asian children?
-What are the doctor's opinions and suggestions for males that are not circumcised?
-Is the doctor aware that Asian children may appear "cross-eyed" in photographs due to the symmetry of their face?
Some common medical conditions among the Asian race are:
-Mongolian Spots:
Mongolian Blue Spots are flat birthmarks with wavy borders and irregular shapes, common among people of Asian, East Indian, African, and Latino heritage. They may be seen in about 10% of Caucasians to over 90% of African Americans. Bluish gray to deep brown to black skin markings, they often appear on the base of the spine, on the buttocks and back and even sometimes on the ankles or wrists. Mongolian spots may cover a large area of the back. The pigmented area has large concentrations of skin cells called melanocytes, with normal skin texture. They commonly appear at birth or shortly after birth and may look like bruises.
-Lactose-intolerant; milk or dairy allergy.
-Asian "sweet blood." Many Asian children have a bad reaction to mosquito bites & bee stings.
-It is common for Asian children to have a build-up of ear wax due to the head, face, and ear canal shape. This may affect the child's hearing and even balance, at times.
Tip: If you have the resources in your community and all else is equal, why not identify an Asian doctor for your child? Please note that Bethany Christian Services is not suggesting that you select your child's physician based solely on their race or ethnicity. For example, a woman may choose a female gynecologist as their gender preference if they feel more comfortable with her. In turn, you may also select a physician for your child based on your preference for their ethnicity and/or knowledge of the above mentioned topics. This physician could also potentially serve as a successful Asian role model for your child and your family.
11/02/2009
National Adoption Month
Category National Adoption Month Bethany Taiwan adoption
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Did you know that NOVEMBER is "National Adoption Month" in the United States?
The History of Adoption Month (taken from "NACAC:" North American Council on Adoptable Children) Formalized, time-specific adoption awareness campaigns originated more than 20 years ago. In May 1976, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis issued the first state Adoption Week proclamation, and President Ford then officially proclaimed the week in a letter to the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) conference held later that year. As years went on, Adoption Week came to be observed during the week of Thanksgiving in November.
Bookmark :
Did you know that NOVEMBER is "National Adoption Month" in the United States?
The History of Adoption Month (taken from "NACAC:" North American Council on Adoptable Children) Formalized, time-specific adoption awareness campaigns originated more than 20 years ago. In May 1976, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis issued the first state Adoption Week proclamation, and President Ford then officially proclaimed the week in a letter to the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) conference held later that year. As years went on, Adoption Week came to be observed during the week of Thanksgiving in November.
In 1986, NACAC helped coordinate a national "Calling Out" event based on an idea from Larry Gellerstein, then president of the Adoptive Parent Committee of New York. That year groups across North America braved late November weather and simultaneously assembled on state and provincial capitol steps to read statements about waiting children, and call out the names of waiting children in their state or province.
In 1990, NACAC decided to expand opportunities for raising awareness, and began advertising Adoption Week as National Adoption Awareness Month (November). The idea has quickly caught on, and Adoption Month has celebrated ever since.
In 2005, a Presidential Proclamation of November 19
marked "National Adoption Day" where thousands of children across
the United States have their adoption finalized in court!
CELEBRATE
ADOPTION
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As an adoptive family, what can you do to celebrate National Adoption Month?
-contact your local schools and help them celebrate too!
-contact your local child care facilities and ask them to celebrate adoption
too!
-connect with your employer/HR and start an adoption benefit!
-start an adoptive family support group in your area!
-plan a community gathering with your local adoptive families support groups!
-write a letter (and send a photo) to your congress person to help encourage
their support!
-write a letter to your child's birth/first parents, expressing your emotions!
-write a letter to your child telling them how much you love them!
-work on or look at your child's Lifebook!
-plan a family outing!
-sponsor an orphan in your child's birth-country
-start an adoption ministry at your church
-have a fundraiser/garage sale/bake-off/silent auction at church... to
benefit your child's orphanage/adoption expenses!
-have siblings in the home write about "what adoption means to them"!
-look into culture camps and homeland tours for your family!
-learn something fun about your child's birth-country or birth-culture!
-go out to eat or cook ethnic food!
-make a tradition of having a family photo taken every November... then
send it out with Christmas cards!
-write a letter/story to your local newspaper educating about adoption!
-pray for birth/first families, foster families, orphanage caretakers,
adoptive families, and orphaned children around the world... that they
may celebrate the Blessings of adoption too!
CELEBRATE
ADOPTION
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10/26/2009
Placements--Bethany Taiwan program
Category adoption Taiwan Bethany
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Here is an update on the number of children placed through Bethany's Taiwan program: Since March 2009, six children have been united with their families! Of these, three were girls and three were boys. One of these children was placed through the non-identified needs infant program (0-18 months), while the other five children were older or had known special needs. The oldest child placed was almost five years old at the time of placement. Each of these were single children, not members of sibling groups. Praise God that these six precious children have joined their forever families!
Two families have received travel dates for November. One family is adopting a boy who is three and a half, and the other is adopting a girl who is two and a half years old. Please pray for these two families as they travel and bring their children home.
Three more Bethany families are matched with children, have completed their referral dossiers, and are waiting for travel approval. The children they are adopting range in age from two years to seven years old.
Additionally, five more Bethany families have been matched with eight children (including two sibling sets) and are working on their referral dossiers. Bethany is excited that several of the children who have been and will be adopted are from our waiting children's list. These children often have special needs, and they need families who will love and accept them for who they are. Please contact your worker for more information on waiting children in the Taiwan program.
Beautiful view at Taroko National Park in Taiwan.
Bookmark :
Here is an update on the number of children placed through Bethany's Taiwan program: Since March 2009, six children have been united with their families! Of these, three were girls and three were boys. One of these children was placed through the non-identified needs infant program (0-18 months), while the other five children were older or had known special needs. The oldest child placed was almost five years old at the time of placement. Each of these were single children, not members of sibling groups. Praise God that these six precious children have joined their forever families!
Two families have received travel dates for November. One family is adopting a boy who is three and a half, and the other is adopting a girl who is two and a half years old. Please pray for these two families as they travel and bring their children home.
Three more Bethany families are matched with children, have completed their referral dossiers, and are waiting for travel approval. The children they are adopting range in age from two years to seven years old.
Additionally, five more Bethany families have been matched with eight children (including two sibling sets) and are working on their referral dossiers. Bethany is excited that several of the children who have been and will be adopted are from our waiting children's list. These children often have special needs, and they need families who will love and accept them for who they are. Please contact your worker for more information on waiting children in the Taiwan program.
Beautiful view at Taroko National Park in Taiwan.
10/09/2009
Changes to Taiwan Adoption Program
Category adoption Taiwan Cathwel age
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Effective January 1, 2010:
Cathwel has just changed their policy for adoptive applicants’ ages. Both adoptive applicants must be between the ages of 30-39 years of age at time of dossier submission, effective January 1, 2010.
What does this mean for families currently in process outside of this age range?
Families who already have a dossier in Taiwan will not be affected by this change.
All families currently in process outside of the new age range of 30-39 years old need to have their initial dossier sent to the Taiwan team by December 10, 2009. These families currently in process MUST have their dossier in Taiwan before the end of December if outside of the age range indicated above.
Special needs program is closed to new applications:
Cathwel has expressed to us that they have many new families applying to adopt. In an effort to minimize the amount of wait time for our current families in process and to maximize the potential of placing waiting children, the Taiwan special needs program is now closed until further notice. This will only affect new families who have not yet completed a formal application with Bethany.
Applicants between the ages of 30-39 who have already had their formal application formally approved in AMS, may still submit dossier after January 1, 2010.
Waiting Children:
We will still accept new applicants for our waiting children. These children often have moderate to severe special needs. Cathwel will determine eligibility for age of adoptive applicants on a case by case basis. If you are interested in a waiting child, please contact your branch office. You may also request information at www.bethany.org.
We apologize for any inconvenience or problems this will cause. As we all know, international adoption often has abrupt changes outside of our control. We are trying to move forward with all of you through these changes and trust in the Lord that He has a plan for what is happening. We continue striving to serve our adoptive families, Cathwel, and especially the children needing homes as best we can. We will keep you informed as new updates come our way.
Bookmark :
Effective January 1, 2010:
Cathwel has just changed their policy for adoptive applicants’ ages. Both adoptive applicants must be between the ages of 30-39 years of age at time of dossier submission, effective January 1, 2010.
What does this mean for families currently in process outside of this age range?
Families who already have a dossier in Taiwan will not be affected by this change.
All families currently in process outside of the new age range of 30-39 years old need to have their initial dossier sent to the Taiwan team by December 10, 2009. These families currently in process MUST have their dossier in Taiwan before the end of December if outside of the age range indicated above.
Special needs program is closed to new applications:
Cathwel has expressed to us that they have many new families applying to adopt. In an effort to minimize the amount of wait time for our current families in process and to maximize the potential of placing waiting children, the Taiwan special needs program is now closed until further notice. This will only affect new families who have not yet completed a formal application with Bethany.
Applicants between the ages of 30-39 who have already had their formal application formally approved in AMS, may still submit dossier after January 1, 2010.
Waiting Children:
We will still accept new applicants for our waiting children. These children often have moderate to severe special needs. Cathwel will determine eligibility for age of adoptive applicants on a case by case basis. If you are interested in a waiting child, please contact your branch office. You may also request information at www.bethany.org.
We apologize for any inconvenience or problems this will cause. As we all know, international adoption often has abrupt changes outside of our control. We are trying to move forward with all of you through these changes and trust in the Lord that He has a plan for what is happening. We continue striving to serve our adoptive families, Cathwel, and especially the children needing homes as best we can. We will keep you informed as new updates come our way.
09/17/2009
Court Process in Taiwan
Category Taiwan adoption court
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We often have families ask about what the court procedure is for children being adopted in Taiwan. After receiving a referral with a child's information, an adoptive family fills out legal documents sent from Cathwel. The documents are notarized, state-sealed, and then sent to TECO for authentication. We recently received the following information from Cathwel explaining what happens after they receive those documents:
Bookmark :
We often have families ask about what the court procedure is for children being adopted in Taiwan. After receiving a referral with a child's information, an adoptive family fills out legal documents sent from Cathwel. The documents are notarized, state-sealed, and then sent to TECO for authentication. We recently received the following information from Cathwel explaining what happens after they receive those documents:
As soon as we receive the legal documents authenticated by TECO and returned from your family, we will file the adoption case at Taipei District Court (most of the time). The court procedure will take 5-6 months to finalize the case, however the time frame will vary depending on who the judge is.
The court will schedule the court hearing date usually 1-2 months after we file the case. However, if they would request more documents, that would delay the procedure. Meanwhile, the court will also require the assigned local Children’s welfare agency to investigate the adoption. The social worker will interview the birth family and review your home study. We have to provide the information for the report preparer. The court will need the report to issue the civil ruling decree. Usually, it will be issued 1-2 months after the hearing date. Then, they will need 5-6 weeks to wait for the final ruling and prepare for travel.
Please understand that we do
not receive updates from Cathwel during the time that this process is occurring.
They will contact us if they need additional paperwork from us or the adoptive
family. Otherwise, we hear from them once the family has been granted permission
to travel. We trust Cathwel and have a good relationship with them. Although
we do not know where each case is in the court process, we know that Cathwel
is taking care of each case and working to unite children with their forever
families.
09/01/2009
While waiting...
Category adoption taiwan waiting
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Dear families,
Here is just a quick update on families who have traveled in the last couple of months. We had one family travel to bring home their 3 year old son in June. One family is traveling right now to bring home their son who is also 3 years old. Next month, we have one family traveling to bring home their 1 year old daughter.
All of the families submitted to Cathwel have traveled within the 3-6 month timeframe that we estimated after their referral dossier arrived in Taiwan. The reality is that it has been closer to the 6 month wait than the 3 month wait.
The beginning stages of an adoption are filled with a multitude of tasks: fill out your paperwork, meet with your social worker, apply for USCIS approval, and many others. At times, it can feel unending! However, all of that work is eventually complete, and your dossier is sent to Taiwan. Now begins the wait, which is very hard, often more difficult than people expect. With Taiwan, the waiting time can be unnerving, as families try to plan their lives, not knowing if their referral will come in 6 months or 2 years. Instead of matching families in the order they submit their dossier, Cathwel in Taiwan matches families with children by looking at families' scrapbooks. Sometimes the children's birth families or foster families are involved in this decision. While this is a thoughtful and positive way to find families for children, we know that families experience anxiety during the wait. Here are some ideas of what you can do while waiting for your child.
While you wait...
Bookmark :
Dear families,
Here is just a quick update on families who have traveled in the last couple of months. We had one family travel to bring home their 3 year old son in June. One family is traveling right now to bring home their son who is also 3 years old. Next month, we have one family traveling to bring home their 1 year old daughter.
All of the families submitted to Cathwel have traveled within the 3-6 month timeframe that we estimated after their referral dossier arrived in Taiwan. The reality is that it has been closer to the 6 month wait than the 3 month wait.
The beginning stages of an adoption are filled with a multitude of tasks: fill out your paperwork, meet with your social worker, apply for USCIS approval, and many others. At times, it can feel unending! However, all of that work is eventually complete, and your dossier is sent to Taiwan. Now begins the wait, which is very hard, often more difficult than people expect. With Taiwan, the waiting time can be unnerving, as families try to plan their lives, not knowing if their referral will come in 6 months or 2 years. Instead of matching families in the order they submit their dossier, Cathwel in Taiwan matches families with children by looking at families' scrapbooks. Sometimes the children's birth families or foster families are involved in this decision. While this is a thoughtful and positive way to find families for children, we know that families experience anxiety during the wait. Here are some ideas of what you can do while waiting for your child.
While you wait...
- Learn about Taiwan. Learning about and appreciating Taiwan's culture will allow you to share those treasures with your child. Most experts agree that it is important for children to know that their adoptive parents value their birth country and their heritage. This knowledge gives children a firm base to develop a healthy sense of identity within the context of a loving family.
- Learn about adoptive parenting. Parenting an adopted child will bring unique challenges that are not present in parenting a biological child. Both you and your child will need to learn to attach to each other. Your child will be entering a completely new world. Educating yourself on adoption issues will prepare you for parenting your child most effectively. Bethany has a list of many resources that deal with adoptive parenting. You may also want to attend a local parenting class or CPR and First Aid class.
- Choose a doctor. It is important to find a pediatrician who you can trust. Take time to research and interview doctors to find one with whom you feel comfortable. Many children who have been adopted from different countries have similar health needs when they first arrive home, and a doctor who is familiar with these issues would be even better.
- Do not put your life on hold. While waiting, continue with your hobbies. Take a vacation. Spend time with friends. Putting your life on hold will just make the wait seem longer. Inactivity promotes worrying and stress.
- Create a will. If you do not already have a will, consult with an attorney to draw up a will, keeping your assets safe for your children's care.
- Trust that your Bethany workers. Intercountry adoption is an emotional process with many ups and downs. Frustrations often arise, especially when the process includes delays or unexpected changes. Taiwan often has no updates on a certain case until a referral is sent, but know that we will give you all available information immediately as we receive it. Families who allow distrust and frustrations to build towards their agency often have a more difficult time during travel. Your Bethany workers are on your team! Communicate any concerns you have with your branch staff.
- Prepare your home. It is important to make your home safe for children and obtain the necessary equipment, such as a car seat. You may want to decorate the child's room as well. In decorating, though, remember that children coming from orphanages are often not used to the multitude of toys and decorations that children here may have. It is wise to keep it simple at first, to prevent overwhelming your child. It's also important to consider your own preferences and emotions. For some families, decorating the room feels like another step towards bringing their child home. For others, it can be painful to walk by a decorated room every day, not knowing when their child will come home to live there.
- Surround yourself with supportive people. Family and friends who can support you during the process are valuable beyond words. Not only do you need support during this wait, but you will also need it once you bring your child home.
- Talk with your insurance company and employer. Prepare things for the child's arrival, so that when you do get permission to travel, you are not as overwhelmed with arrangements. Knowing policies ahead of time will ease the stress of requesting family leave or adding the child to your insurance. Learn about your rights under the United States Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Pray for your child. God has a plan for your family, and He knows the child that needs your family.
- Find adoption support groups. This will create a network of others who have been through similar experiences as you and can share their thoughts and feelings with you. A support group can help you manage stress during the adoption process and while parenting. Other adoptive parents may have advice and information for you on many topics. Additionally, once your child is home, he or she may benefit from knowing other children who were adopted as well. If you live in an area without any support groups, you can also access online support groups and web forums. Bethany's website has several forums for you to connect with other adoptive parents.
- Document the adoption process. Journal to express yourself and de-stress. Start preparing adopting announcements. Start a scrapbook for your child.
08/13/2009
Cathwel is safe but requesting prayer
Category adoption Taiwan typhoon cathwelBookmark :
Praise
God that Cathwel staff and children are safe and well, despite the typhoons
in Taiwan! Here is a photo of Cathwel Services, the agency we work with
in Taiwan. It includes the Jonah House Orphanage as well as many other
services, such as a halfway house, a nursery, and counseling services for
birth families. They care for orphans, handicapped children, abandoned
children, unwed mothers, and needy children. They also offer foster care
services, as part of the orphanage ministry.
Staff members at Cathwel have contacted us, both to assure us of their safety and to request our prayers. Here are some of their comments:
"Thank you for asking. We are all 'survived' from the typhoon."
"Thank you for
your praying and caring. Everything is fine and we are all ok."
"It was all
right for us, just the bad weather, thank to God, there were not so many
damage as before. Pray for those people suffered from the big rain, it
was terrible, so many people died, no food, no house, we also cry with
them. God gives them strength, hope, very touching to see, so many good
heart people, we start to collect money, food, things that that need …
Let ’s try to make better world."
There are many people who died in this
disaster, and even more who are missing or who have lost their homes.
Here is one news item from the BBC,
showing the destruction in the area where the typhoon hit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/8198817.stm
Please pray for the country of Taiwan,
for the people who have been affected, and for Cathwel as they try to help
those around them.
