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Post by sallyg on Apr 28, 2008 15:29:48 GMT 10
Since I'm so new to all of this, I'd love to hear some stories from people who have been succesful with LA & PC.
Do such people exist? And where do they hang out?
Some inspiration would be loverly!
S x
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Post by gabbyforever on May 9, 2008 16:17:07 GMT 10
Hi Sally, Yes we do exist. We adopted a beautiful 12 week old baby girl in October last year. We went through Centacare in Melbourne. It took 2 years from education to placement. If you have any questions i'm more than happy to answer if i acan. Molly
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Post by marika on May 10, 2008 12:48:21 GMT 10
Hi Molly,
I'd love some more detailed info if you are willing to give it, particularly as to the exact process, anything to watch out for etc. I've read it takes 2-3 years and can cost up to $30,000 (broken up in smaller fee's along the way)... Did your expenses reach that much or would you say that's a maximum cost and on average its cheaper? My partner and I are booked into an info session in September, but are looking to be as educated as possible before then so we know exactly what's involved. We are also looking to adopt a child under 2yrs old, as we have friends that adopted sisters about 5 and 6yrs and there are some issues they have had with trust and the girls being scared of a 2nd abandonment... Any info about both the process and picking up your daughter would be amazing, also we are not fussed so much on where the child comes from but I guess our main focus is making sure we can save the money and the extra funds to take good care of the child once they arrive... did you find a big difference in fees depending on which country the child comes from?
Sorry that's a lot to answer, any info a plus! Thanks, Marika
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Post by sallyg on May 11, 2008 18:27:07 GMT 10
Thanks for replying Molly,
Congratulations! You must be over the moon with your daughter!!!
I too am with centacare. Did you apply for LA alone, or perm care as well?
Marika, there is no charge (except a nominal amount to attend education classes) for LA and PC. Perhaps you're looking at inter-country adoption??? The lenght of time varies greatly with ICA depending on state and the country you're applying for. What state are you in?
Sal x
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Post by gabbyforever on May 11, 2008 21:11:09 GMT 10
Yes Marika as Sally said we adopted Isabella through Local adoption. Sally we were approved for LA and Perm Care. We went thru education classes with a lovely couple who were placed with a ten month old baby boy thru permanent care. We were not fussed if we were placed thru perm care or LA it just worked out that Isabella was thru LA. How far along are you Sally? Have you been allocated a social worker yet? We had Lisa and she was fantastic.
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Post by flossyinoz on May 12, 2008 11:55:09 GMT 10
Hi Molly, Welcome back, was wondering how you went with your little one. If it is not too much trouble we would love to have some insight into the problems you faced. you don't need to go into details if you don't want to, but just comparing reality with a baby as opposed to what you expected how it would be. This would be absolutely great and a big help and certainly a new perspective as most of us are still in the process of applying. Cheers Flossyinoz
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Post by gabbyforever on May 12, 2008 17:52:24 GMT 10
Hey Flossyinoz, We have been truly bleesed with our dear little baby Isabella. She has blended into our family very easily. We have three biological children Paddy 14, Laura 11 and dear little Gabby( in Heaven). So i suppose in a sense i had an idea what it would be like. But every baby is different so you never really know. Isabella is now 10 months old and is quite a live wire! She is very active and very determined! Getting up for feeds at night took a while to get used too but ofcourse you soon adjust. Isabella still has a bottle through the night but i'm used to it now. I suppose one thing i can say is that the love i feel for her is just the same as for my other children. I always thought it would be but it's amazing just how instantly i fell in love with her. She is just beautiful. I must say that even though she settled in easily i'm sure she missed her foster mum who was just wonderful. Isabella was only 12 weeks when she arrived home but i could tell she missed Josie. I think it took about three weeks for her to really settle in. Overall it has been a wonderful experience and we feel very blessed that her birth mother chose our family. My thoughts were with Isabella's bith mother yesterday on Mothers Day it must of been a tough day for her. I.m hoping that one day we get to meet her but she's not ready for that yet. We are very open to acsess as we think it's whats best for Isabella. Anyway i've just given you a brief rundown but feel free to ask any questions. Molly
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Post by flossyinoz on May 13, 2008 10:15:44 GMT 10
Molly, This sounds wonderful. I wasn't aware that you were not a newbie to kids like most of us . and 3 weeks I think is really not a long time to settle in. I guess Isabella was lucky to have such a grat foster mum, so she was able to attach and is able to do it again. Yes the topic of the birth mother on Mother's Day, I guess that is what Kate raised - waht a bundle of mixed emotions the birth mother must go through, on the one hand probably the thought I have done the right thing, but on the other hand, how could it have been if my situation had been different. Yes I think it would be good for Isabella and her birthmother to meet some day, maybe just to give that bit of closure hopefully. Cheers Flossyinoz
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Post by doris on May 14, 2008 13:10:33 GMT 10
Hi Molly
You have put my mind at ease a little. My Husband and i have been on the register for over 12 months for both LA and PC. it just get very disheartening when you here how successfull some couples are and here we are still waiting. But i am trully happy for you and it is great that you shared it with us.
Doris
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Post by chinababe on May 14, 2008 14:40:07 GMT 10
Doris I am sorry that it taking so long.
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Post by doris on May 14, 2008 17:36:39 GMT 10
chinababe
yes it has taken a long time, but it proves that we really want this. i have a very good support group of friends and family and they all say that they could not put up with what we are putting up with, they say they would have quit a long time ago. i say to them that they wouldn't because they can have children. if they could not have children, they would do anything to have them.
but my spirits are high so all fingers are crossed.
Doris
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Post by gabbyforever on May 14, 2008 21:00:54 GMT 10
Hi Doris, Hang in there it will happen. I know when it wasnt happening for us i thought what's wrong with us? We were passed up for 3 children and it was hard not to take it personally. But i look at Isabella now and just know that she was the right baby for us. Once you are placed all that waiting time just melts away. I know that you have probably heard it all before but the right little person is out there for you and it WILL happen. It's wonderful that you have a great support network. We were also luck to have great support and all our friends just love Isabella. The wait was definately worth it. Good luck and i cant wait to hear about YOUR placement in the future. Molly
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