Handicapped adoptive parents

Let me be the first to give you a big pat on the back. Congrats. on taking the first step. :) I am 23, at 20 I was hit by a car and now, though I hardly have a limp, am unable to walk for long distances. At night it's resting on the couch with ice packs for me. Walmart superstores are impossiable without a wheelchair, or even a groccery store for that matter. I still want to adopt. I can be a mom, why should a wheelchair matter? In your case they will want to know if on your limited income, can you provide for a child? Remember you are protected by the American Disabilities act. You might even consider calling your local chapter for the blind and see if they can help.

Don't know how handicapped you are looking for but... I'm a hearing impaired person and if I go by technical terms, I'm deaf. But...I don't. I hear virtually nothing without aids and at night in my sleep, forget it. Read lips and until a month ago, I couldn't hear my kids unless they were in the same room with me. (had a cochlear implant done in February so that's changing) When we met with our cw, I had concerns of "will they think I can't be a parent?" and to my surprise, it was not one of the biggest subjects discussed. In fact, our cw is legally blind and has adopted several children herself. I was asked how I would handle certain situations due to having a disability and how I would deal with issues surrounding my lack of hearing when the kids had questions etc. They were much more concerned with what kind of parenting style I have, income, ability to deal with foster care issues etc. If you want to be a parent, I wouldn't let this hold you back. Crick

Thanks for the fast response, crick88. Good to know others have done it. Anigel, that's one thing I've thought of, too, in fact I've listed my strengths and weaknesses in my head,a nd have realized I am best with an older child. I was, in fact, surprised when reading I found out "older" means 2 and in some cases one. i had thought older child meant Kindergarten and up. Anyway, I agree, the limited income is the big thing, but I have my parents helping me. I think that income is the main reason i'm lookign at 2010 or so as a starting point, but it'll probably be before then. Have to get some loans paid off first, and who knows, something else might turn up. For all I know the Lord will call me to the mission field int he meantime. I think my main line will be that my kid will be immersed in the '70s :-) I mean it, first Chrsitmas might be a 30YO board game :-) Seriously, though, I do have cousins and nephews who love my Intellivision gtame unit, but the main thing will be feeding and clothign and stuff anyway, and not that. But, even entertaiment is something to think about. If I had a reader that would be so much easier though, which is why I was thinking 5 and up. (Although I have changed a diaper, even cleaning them before htye are able might be a challenge.) And it will probably look a lot better to a caseworker in a few years when i can discuss my strengths and weaknesses quite easily right away, anyway. About blindness, though, I use our local rapid transit, the curb-to-curb buses, and I guess that was even a concern to me. i can get to airports and around fine, but I guess I was wondering about interstate, etc.. However, the wait list will probably be much shorter if I say I am looking to adopt age 5 and up or so. Or maybe 4, I guess they're pretty independent in lots of things. It would all depend.

Have you checked into any support groups or just local groups that have the same disability as you? I'm sure many of the members are parents and would have great advice for you on how to overcome the challenges of parenting. This might be something to look into before you adopt. I don't think the transportation will be a huge issue but some things to think about will be how your child will get to school if they miss the bus or how you'll get them to various activities and appointments. As you said, you use the bus etc. but will you have a support system of family and friends that can help you out in a pinch? Local transportation is great and they won't frown upon that. After all, there are plenty of parents who do not own cars for whatever reason. When you decide the time is right, I'm sure you will have all your ducks in a row, so to speak. And as far as the 70's go....our kids are subjected to the 60's Beatles influence. In fact they are watching "The Yellow Submarine" right now and loving it.

I'm going to tell you a little bit about us, it might help you. DH and I have been wanting to adopt an older child as well. We've been thinking 5-12. It all started simply enough and I went home and talked to hubby about it. He agreed we could afford one or two, so we began digging deeper. That being said, we were totally thrown off guard to learn that there are subsidies, for each child meeting your states qualifications as special needs. That can mean an older child as well. I tell you this, because I don't know if your "comfortable" money wise or not. In our case we could recieve between $200-$300. There are qualifications that very state by state. In FL is is not based on income, rather the child, but different states have different requirements. I just wanted to shine a little light in your 2010 corner. ;)

Hey you should check out your local national federation of the blind chapter for advice and guidance. There are lots of blind people adopting now. I am a bmom but I want to adopt one day despite my disability. You seem like a cool person. Londa

I have MS, do not walk (use a wheelchair or scooter), do not drive, live alone with the child and adopted from Guatemala (my daughter came home at 4 months). E-mail me privately for more information is desired. It is possible.

Thanks for the encouragement - I thought I'd posted something here before. I'm sorry to resurrect such an old thread. Anyway, I'm glad this is here becasue I don't know if my attempt to start a thread worked earlier. I just got a packet of info from the local county agency. I was a little disconcerted by some of the worries others expressed in one thread about attachment issues, because though I have incredible patience and love and try to be very encouraging, I guess I wonder if a kid would be taking advantage of my handicap a lot. Although they would probably try to place a kid with me who would be easier to handle only becasue they would know it can't be one that's too disruptive. (There was a great list as far as questions to ask, one being how many other homes have they been in, why left, etc.) I'm still paying off one last loan, but thigns are looking up anyway. I wonder, though; I told the woman at the agency when i did my initial phone interview before getting the packet that I'd prefer ages 4-14, I won't if I should have said younger. I probably *could* handle younger, I jsut worry about reacting in time if they go to put something int heir mouth...ear...nose... :-)

There are a lot of people who want babies and toddlers. I would stick with what you are comfortable with. Good Luck! If you can have a doctor sign off that you are able to adopt then you will get approved. I know someone with low vision and they had to make an extra doctors appointment, but still got approved.

Our Family would very much like an Update of your Family please?? My Husband is an Amputee . Stemmed from or along with Complex Diabetes. Myself, I have Physical and Skeletal Deformities. From my looks . People automatically assume that I have Downs' Syndrome or a brain injuries!! Our Disabilities have abled us to Adopt 42 Children!! Yes, you are also very protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. For our Family, we have never had to Advocate this Act also!! Both of us as well as our Family say. Bring on the Kids Mom and Dad!! Juli