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Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

Original poster

Yay! The man from the ministry who rips off the bits of ribbon is back from holiday...

187 replies

suejonez · 15/08/2006 17:36

For those few of you who have been following my snail-paced adoption. The man from the Ministry of Foreigh Affairs has found my file stuck behind the back of a radiator, dusted it off and passed it on to the next bureaucrat in line. So its progressed to the Ministry of Education. Hurrah!

Now I wait for a travel date and confirmation of where in Kazakhstan I'll be travelling to - most likely Ust-Kamengorsk in October 2006.

This is the first good news I've had since my file disappered in early June!

Hurrah! (Have I said that already? - what the heck I'm going to say it again...) Hurrah!

OP posts:
Original poster
suejonez · 17/08/2006 23:57

I wasn't planning to take much in the way of baby paraphanalia. I've asked other recent parents what things they were glad they took and what they wished they'd taken and what they would have left behind and am pretty much using that as my guide.

Like you, I will be away about 6 weeks on my own with my mum for part of the time.

OP posts:
KristinaM · 18/08/2006 01:09

sue, I know you will be stresed but honestly, you need to send someone else to the F&CO to get your dossier apostilled ect .You really should go to the whole seminar - there will be so much info there which you may need later, perhaps years later. Remember there is very litle / no expertise in the health service here on kids adopted from overseas.You may get a lot of wrong advice from your local GP/paediatrician/SALT/HV

BTW forgot to say before, you will be SO PLEASED that you persevered with the Russian. Just having teh basics will make your long stay so much easier

happyally · 18/08/2006 10:33

Hiya suejonez! Am new on MN so I haven't 'spoken' to you before but just been reading a few old posts - and you sound like a very positive and lovely person and also very funny,(surely humour cannot be overrated in childcare?? have just had to laugh off the fact that my new t shirt is now covered in weetabix and apple mush and that my neclace has been ripped off this morning) so am really happy to read things are getting close!!
Good luck, very very good luck.

beemail · 18/08/2006 13:22

Do agree if there is ANY way you could get to the Oasis event do although I do know how rushed those final days here might be -there'll be so much info which i'm sure you'll find useful particularly when adopting children who have been in institutional care and like KristinaM agree that there is so little professional expertise in this country. It's likely to be a while before Dana is back......!

Original poster
suejonez · 18/08/2006 16:54

OK - you've bullied me into it. I will book and plan to go and try to arrange all my "to do" lists around not being free that day.

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Original poster
suejonez · 18/08/2006 16:55

Oh HappyAlly, you have obviously just not read my depressed and grumpy posts then!

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KristinaM · 19/08/2006 21:54

Sue I promise you wont regret it
If you go and dont find it useful i will personally refund your £20

BTW beemail - did you knwo that Dana and his wife have a child adopted from india?

beemail · 20/08/2006 19:32

Suejonez I agree I'd be amazed if you regret it - a tenner each then KristinaM? No I didn't know about the adoption from India (do you know how long ago and where from?) it's a while since I last met Dana but I get a lot of useful info which I've referred back to over the years partic about sensory integration etc There's so little opportuntity to hear anyone who has any really specialist knowledge from this country. I have heard Prof Rutter and Peter Selman both a while ago, think I need to start again and update esp since we're now on the brink of adolescence with ours!

beemail · 20/08/2006 19:33

Suejonez I agree I'd be amazed if you regret it - a tenner each then KristinaM? No I didn't know about the adoption from India (do you know how long ago and where from?) it's a while since I last met Dana but I get a lot of useful info which I've referred back to over the years partic about sensory integration etc There's so little opportuntity to hear anyone who has any really specialist knowledge from this country. I have heard Prof Rutter and Peter Selman both a while ago, think I need to start again and update esp since we're now on the brink of adolescence with ours!

beemail · 20/08/2006 19:35

Whoops -sorry

beemail · 20/08/2006 19:35

Suejonez I agree I'd be amazed if you regret it - a tenner each then KristinaM? No I didn't know about the adoption from India (do you know how long ago and where from?) it's a while since I last met Dana but I get a lot of useful info which I've referred back to over the years partic about sensory integration etc There's so little opportuntity to hear anyone who has any really specialist knowledge from this country. I have heard Prof Rutter and Peter Selman both a while ago, think I need to start again and update esp since we're now on the brink of adolescence with ours!

beemail · 20/08/2006 19:37

OMG computer's gone mad! (blush)

lionheart · 22/08/2006 20:26

Just saw this Suejonez. How exciting it must be after waiting so long. Good luck with the trip.

KristinaM · 26/08/2006 03:36

Any news Sue?

Original poster
suejonez · 26/08/2006 10:15

No have been told that I should hear next week. Blimey Kistina, are you in another country or were you up as late as I was last night?

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KristinaM · 26/08/2006 12:07

Oh do let us know, i am so excited for you!!1 Sadly i am not in another country, just up Bf DS2. Who is old enough to sleep thorough the night but doesnt knwo it...sigh...

Original poster
suejonez · 26/08/2006 13:37

I caved in at about 3am and got up and made myself a sandwich! Mind whirring with plans for flights, new medical, updated home study updated CRB checks, etc etc.

(Hint as to possible travel dates - I might not be able to see Dana Johnson as I may have already left the country )

OP posts:
KristinaM · 26/08/2006 14:58

tell me you are NOT trying to get an updated home study AND a new medical AND updated police checks etc ANd a visa all within the next 2 weeks????????

Original poster
suejonez · 26/08/2006 15:03

YUP

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Original poster
suejonez · 26/08/2006 15:05

CRB checks were applied for 2 months ago and I've chased (you can't before 60 days now new rules) so they stand a good chance of arriving.

Medical for KAzx is ridiculously simple so am hoping to arrange next week.

SW coming on 1 Sept to do update and have already told Richmond council they will need to turn around pretty bloody sharpish.

Stressed? Me?

OP posts:
ScummyMummy · 26/08/2006 15:05

Good luck![scum!]

Original poster
suejonez · 26/08/2006 15:06

I can't apply for a visa until teh Embassy have received a telex from the local ministry for eduction in Ust Kamenogorsk as I need a special adoption visa. I'm told this often arrives TWO DAYS before flying. GULP!

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Original poster
suejonez · 26/08/2006 15:07

lol, scummy! That post made me laugh so much when I read it back

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KristinaM · 26/08/2006 15:10

No visa? Hope your Sw is co-operative? I know its so annoying when other expectant mums get to decorate teh nursery and shop for lovely baby things, you have some idiot woman from SS ( who did a 2 hour seminar on adoption 5 years ago and thinks she's an expert) asking you the same stupid questions all over again......

Meanwhile your child is just sitting there waiting for you to come...

misdee · 26/08/2006 15:16

oh is the doll for this baby? hm, i will make it extra special somehow.