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Post by emster on Aug 22, 2008 10:01:21 GMT 10
My wife and I have been lurking here for a while, but thought it was time to introduce ourselves.
We have applied for both LA and PC in Victoria. We are happy to announce (!) that yesterday we were approved for both LA and PC. It is an exciting time for us as our social worker has some prospective children in mind for us which she is currently exploring. We are hoping that a placement will be made this year. We are happy to answer any questions about the process we have gone through (which started in January 2006) for anyone on the same path as us. regards emster
p.s. Can someone please confirm what the most common abbreviations on the forum, such as DH, DS etc, stand for?
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Post by sallyg on Aug 22, 2008 10:30:42 GMT 10
Congratulations Emster!!!
That's VERY exciting that you've been approved, and even more exciting that your SW is exploring some prospective children for you! I can't wait to hear how you go.
Re: the acronyms, I'm not sure if there's a list, but DH is darling husband, DS is darling son.
Welcome, and I look forward to following your journey!
Is your agency geared more towards PC or LA? Or both? Our agency doesn't have PC children themselves, so feel they are better able to place us with an adopted child. How have you found this part of the process now you're approved?
Sal
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Post by flossyinoz on Aug 22, 2008 11:09:49 GMT 10
Emster, This is great and that you already have prospects of being placed so soon. You seem to have a very active agency. May I ask what region you are in, if you do not want to tell on the forum, please pm me if yu want to. Cheers
Flossyinoz
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Post by gabbyforever on Aug 22, 2008 11:10:23 GMT 10
Hi Emster, Welcome and congratulations on your approval for LA and PC. It's a very exciting time once your finally approved. I hope your wait isnt too long and you are placed soon. We have a beautiful baby girl through LA. Anyway good to have you here. Molly
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mel
Newbie
Posts: 16
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Post by mel on Aug 22, 2008 18:03:32 GMT 10
Congratulations and it sounds like the process might be very fast from here
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Post by michelle76 on Sept 25, 2008 15:55:19 GMT 10
Welcome Emster, I'm in process of assessment for local adoption in Victoria. I hope to hear good news from you soon. Michelle
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Post by sallyg on Nov 6, 2008 7:46:07 GMT 10
Hi Emster,
Just wanting to know how you're going. I hope well!
Sal
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Post by emster on Dec 6, 2008 22:09:52 GMT 10
Hi everyone I know I haven't posted for a while because nothing much happened for a few months after we were approved for PC and adoption in August this year. Then about 5 weeks ago we were asked whether we wanted to be put forward for 2 children (siblings) who are currently in foster care but needed to move to a PC family. We said yes and then they said we would be put forward at a link panel in November. For several reasons this didn't occur and the link panel has been put back until late December. Initially, our SW told us that that another couples would also be put forward at the panel meeting as a potential link, which surprised me because unlike adoption I didn't realise that more than one family could be put forward. I assumed that the agency would select one couple/individual only and then it is up to the link panel. I am interested to know if other people have made the same assumption as me. Thankfully for us, the agency decided not to proceed with the other couple to the link panel. Of course there are no certainties that the panel will say yes, but our SW is confident and told us to start making preparations such as enquiring about schools/kindergartens in our area and getting quotes for beds etc. which is all incredibly citing for us. It has been a bit bizarre contacting the schools/kindergartens without a name or date of birth, so we have to explain each time. We felt like impostors going to the local primary school's prep 2009 induction night a few weeks ago with all the parents who had enrolled their children months ago. Also, it is difficult to know how much to tell family and friends. We don't want to get their expectations up anymore than we do for ourselves. Anyway, we will know soon one way or the other and hopefully our 3 years journey will enter the next and most significant phase. Emster
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Post by Kim on Dec 7, 2008 9:12:24 GMT 10
wow thats so exciting...
;D
I cant wait to hear how everything goes..
Good Luck.
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Post by emster on Dec 8, 2008 11:11:26 GMT 10
Thanks Kim We find out late next week. fingers crossed. Emster
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Post by sallyg on Dec 8, 2008 14:12:34 GMT 10
Wow Emster,
How exciting!
I hope your two munchkins are home with you in no time. How surreal to have to go and get a school placement for a child you don't know!!!
Yes, that was my understanding of PC was that there could be several applicants put forward to the matching panel - and they would select the 'best' match. I thought it was a little strange that they know the child, but don't always know the applicant (if they come from another agency)... but I suppose we've had enough vetting by that point in time.
Good luck! I hope it goes perfectly.
Sal
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Post by flossyinoz on Dec 8, 2008 14:23:51 GMT 10
Emster, Very exciting, all fingers crossed - if there is now only you I am sure they will approve you. So apparently at least one of the kids is school age.
And yes I knew it is the case in pc as in adoption to provide more than one applicant couple, the only thing that is different that the birthparents do not have input, but panel etc is the same.
Good luck, everything crossed!!!
Flossyinoz
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Post by emster on Dec 20, 2008 17:17:46 GMT 10
Hello again everybody
It's finally happened!!!.
Last Thursday was the day of the link meeting with the 2 girls (sisters 4 and 5) I mentioned in an earlier post. I waited at work for what seemed for ever for the phone to ring, and then it did, and I was told that the link had been made. I then rang my wife at her work and we raced into the agency that afternoon (thankfully I am 10 minutes walk away - 5 minutes run!) and my wife works about 20 mins away. We were then told more about the girls and their background and finally given photographs of them.
It was very special to look at the photographs and think: these are not just photos of random children I've never see before, but children I could be spending the rest of of life with. My wife instantly thought they both looked like me! (poor kids).
We were given their reports and told to take then home and read them and give them an answer yesterday, or after this weekend if more time was required. We read the reports and we must have looked at the photos a 100 times. I can tell you that we didn't need the weekend, we rang yesterday morning and said yes. We already feel an emotional connection with the girls just through their photos
The transition starts on Jan 8 and we hope to have them home within about a week of that. Now the preparation starts. I think waiting to meet the girls is going to be hard to bare!
I want to tell you all who are still waiting, as we did for a long time, that you should not give up or despair. Our SW told us that the right child (children) will come along for us and they did. And by all mens keep in touch with your social workers to let them know you are still keen.
My wife would like to say a few words..............What I felt made it a little easier for us was to totally surrender and have faith that the right angels would choose us not the other way around.
regards Emster
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Post by kate on Dec 20, 2008 18:10:53 GMT 10
That's great news. Wonderful pre-Christmas present. Best wishes for the new year as you expand your family.
take care,
k
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Post by Kim on Dec 21, 2008 21:22:56 GMT 10
That is so wonderful... ;D
How amazing is it to think that this is your last Christmas as just the 2 of you .. ;D
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Post by flossyinoz on Dec 22, 2008 10:27:04 GMT 10
The best Christmas present ever! Best of luck for a smooth transition and having your girls home soon!!!!!!
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