If there is one question I receive from adoptive parents more than any others, it is this: "Do you think that orphanages have incentive programs to recruit SN children as well as healthy?" While the history of China's non-special needs program is filled with episodes of impropriety (baby-buying, Family Planning confiscations, etc.), there is much less data on the special-needs program. Thus, for the most part, we are left with assumptions.
But there are some indicators. In this essay on our subscription blog (
available for only a one-time $20 fee) we recount our experiences with the Changde, Hunan orphanage, and an interview with the birth mother of a SN child, both of which are data points we can use to access the integrity of China's SN program.
Hi. My hubby and I have thought about the possibiliy of addopting, someday, when our kids are a bit older.. I recently saw this, and just fell in love with this young girl. We have decided to contact a local agency, after the weekend, and find out more information about pursuing this young lady. I have been reading all day about adopting, and came across your blog. I have read a ton here, and am now wondering about whether this is a legitimate aging out adoption. Thoughts? http://www.nohandsbutours.com/2016/09/09/urgent-aging-out-child-lily/. I would love to help this young lady, but see the value of her staying where she is if she has birth family around.
ReplyDeleteThe difficulty Michelle is that one can't get the information needed to be able to make an informed decision about these children. What orphanage are they from? Where have they been the last ten years? Agencies and the CCAA intentionally keep these facts hidden. While the stories tug at the heart strings, I would avoid them.
ReplyDeleteSo, does the fact that she is special needs (clubfood) increase the likelihood of this being legitimate?
ReplyDeleteNo. Some of the known cases of "education program" children had Special Needs. The question to ask is how long she has been in the orphanage, how many of these "aging out" children that orphanage does, etc. Have you read our article "Open Secret"? It is available for download through our website. It goes into a lot of details.
ReplyDeletehttp://research-china.weebly.com/
Under the "Articles" tab.