FAQ's

This week marks one year since God started speaking to my heart about adopting a child with special needs.  What a year it has been!  I can't even explain all the feelings and emotions I've felt already.

This post will be addressing some of the questions we often get asked about our adoption, but first a quick update…

We finally dropped off our home study paperwork to our social worker,  now we can finish our interviews and home visit.  When our home study is complete the rest of the paperwork will start to move along faster.  We're moving forward,  not a whole lot to report.  On to the FAQ's…..

1. Who, What, Where, When, Why?

We're adopting a little boy from China, he's blind, he is two now and will be three when we bring him home. The process will be up to a year and it's all part of God's plan for our family.

2. How long will the process be?

It will be 10-12 months,  we are hoping closer to 10 months because we would love to have Gabriel in our arms for his birthday in March.  So many March birthdays in the family :)

3. Can he see at all? He doesn't look blind.

As far as we know, Gabriel has no vision or light sense ( according to his file).  There are different eye conditions that cause blindness.  Some people have eyes that look perfectly normal but they are still blind.  It is unclear what specific eye condition Gabriel has.

4. How much will it cost? How will you afford it?

The total process will be about $35,000.  We are fundraising ( as you know),  soon we will be able to apply for grants,  we're selling things from around the house, Mike is working extra hours and weekends,  and if we need to get a loan we will, after all,  people get loans for cars that cost as much or more than the cost of adoption.  A lot of factors go in to the cost of adoption, we're paying for services NOT the child we are adopting.

5. Do you have to travel to China?

Yes,  we will be in china for about two weeks. We've never been away from our kids for that long :(

…and I, ( Kari) am not the best traveler, flying is not my favorite and it's a really long flight, but I'll be fine. We are looking forward to seeing China.

6. Are you scared/ nervous about life with a blind child?

Mike was a little intimidated at first but I,  personally have had complete peace about it.  Visual impairment was the first special need I felt drawn to when God placed adoption on my heart a year ago.

7.  Will he have to go to The School for the Blind?

Nope,  We are grateful that the Tennessee School for the Blind is an option but the public school system provides services for blind children and we plan to start out there and see how it goes.

  

8. How did you go about finding this particular child?

There are advocacy websites with lists of waiting children.  I had been looking at these for a year while we were praying about adoption.  I actually saw Gabriel on three sites in one morning and took that as a sign that I should request his file.  We had his file put on hold while we were reviewing it and on Good Friday we said "yes, this is our child",  and began this crazy process.

9. Is he in an orphanage?

No, he is living in a wonderful foster home for children with visual impairments and he is loved.

10. Other information:

Gabriel is just learning to walk, he is not talking yet but he does babble and he can understand his care takers when they speak to him.  

Thanks for reading, I hope this was helpful to anyone who might have questions for us.


We have lots of middle puzzle pieces left. Sponsor a piece for $10.  Link below

http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/waiting-4-gabe/341337