lurker..with a question..longish, sorry

CeCe04

Hi ladies. I have been lurking on here on and off for awhile. I recently started posting on the bump following our second loss. DH and I have begun discussing possibly adopting someday if things do not work out for us in the next few years. So we are at the very, very beginning of this journey.

My question involves my ability to adopt. I understand through some searching I have done that some countries have health restrictions with the intended parents. I have been diagnosed with possibly having MS. Historically, MS is hard to diagnose. I'm having a spinal tap in a few weeks that will maybe give us some answers..or not. 

My neuro is encouraged by the fact that I have very few symptoms and live my life completely normally. MS could change things over time, if that is what I indeed have, of course.

Does anyone know if having such a condition would keep us from being able to adopt? We are looking at international adoption as a most likely route for us but of course that could change. I couldn't find anything online regarding what restrictions we would have for adopting domestically, anyway.

Thanks for any thoughts/advice you might have..it is much appreciated.

hersheykiss

I am sorry about your health issues. I do not know anything about adopting with health issues, but I cannot imagine an agency precluding solely on that issue as long as a doctor can sign something saying it does not hinder you from caring for a child through their adulthood.

I wanted to add that I know many people with MS that have led healthy, strong lives. My mom is a nurse and so I have come in contact with many illnesses. I have met many people with MS through her and have been amazed at how strong and determined they are. Just take one day at a time and enjoy life.

kgs0505

I think you will have a more difficult time with IA than DA with a diagnosed helath issue.  I know China is very strict.  I'm not sure how other countries are however. 

I suggest contacting an agency specializing in your target country and asking them what the restrictions, if any, are.  I have found they are very open to talking with you, even if you are just researching.

Good luck!  And I hope your test results come out good.

CeCe04

Thank you so much for your responses. We have a lot of research ahead of us I suppose. Its good to know I could contact an agency and they would answer my questions, I didn't know that. I am 100% sure that I could care for a child, or I wouldn't be attempting to have one, and I'm sure my doctors would back me up on that with whatever documentation they require. So hopefully.. that is all that is needed. Thank you again!

Oh..and thank you for your kind words on my health! We are hoping that everything will turn out just fine but if it isnt, well, life is full of the unexpected and I don't intend to let anything get in the way of us having a full, happy, loving, normal (as possible!) life. 

LadyRed7

i am sorry i can't answer your question, but i'm so sorry for your health issues and i hope a dx is found for you. 

Good luck in your journey too! 

crystalpopcorn

Hi there.  I am sorry to hear about your potential diagnosis.  I hope all turns out to be ok. 

You are right that you might run into challenges with IA if you are in fact diagnosed. I would recommend that you be upfront with agencies and ask them what they suggest.  A letter from your doctor might be all you need, but some countries may be off limits regardless.  You will probably have little to no problem with DA though, so don't rule that out either.  Good luck, and let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.

katejane66

this link might help you. https://www.childrenshomeadopt.org/sites/17a3c32c-1a73-4262-9340-5a597bd43340/uploads/USA_Chart.pdf

 My husband and I have been considering adoption and I have used this as a starting point for our research.