so far, so good

So, let’s talk about what I have been doing recently. Like what I have mentioned before, I’m generating a brief introduction of common medical conditions Identified among children available for adoption in China, hoping that the prospective parents will have a better understanding about what to expect before they make the decision to adopt. We have chosen 12 common conditions: Cerebral palsy, Albinism, Congenital spinal bifida, Thalassemia, Hepatitis, Congenital heart disease, Hemophilia, Anal atresia, Glaucoma, Esotropia, Epilepsy and Hydrocephaly. The content of each condition includes: description, signs & symptoms, expectations, complications, treatment and homecare. I meet my mentor Anne Baldwin in Villa Hope, and turn in my weekly “homework” every Friday, then come home with her questions and suggestions. The process of doing research on these medical conditions has been great learning experience to me, especially when I was trying to find answers to Anne’s questions.

Another exciting experience was attending the “Preparing for the Joys and Challenges of International Adoption” seminar, which is hosted by the U.A.B. International Adoption Clinic on Sep.24^th, 2011. It was a whole day class series from 8:30am till 5:00pm. I helped with administration, and then sat through the class with all the prospective adoptive families. The class covers 4 main parts:
1) Medical Issues for Internationally Adopted Children
2) Trauma, Attachment Disruptions and the Emotional Needs of Internationally Adopted Young Children
3) Growing Up Different: Identity Issues in Adoption
4) Development and the Internationally Adopted Child

Handout and extra reading materials were provided, so the attenders can take notes and digest what they’ve learned in class when they go home. It was nice to see what information the families can get before adoption. I was impressed by Kelly’s speech. She is a social worker in the International Adoption Clinic, and she is an adoptee from Korea. She tells her own adoptive story, the great experience of being different, and the struggling of uncertain identity, which is totally a new perspective to me.

So what’s next? There will be 22 delegates from China Center for Children’s Welfare and Adoption visiting U.A.B International Adoption Clinic on Oct. 14^th. I will be there, maybe help with translating. Wait for my update. ^^