Though the DOS annoucement seemed like a light at the end of the tunnel, the rest of the story has caused more questions than it has answered.
Be assured that our representatives in Guatemala are working around the clock to get answers. There are several things that we must keep in mind:
1 - If you fall between March 5th and June 30th or you don't know: Your lawyer will find out shortly. There is no use speculating whether there will be changes to foster care OR any other aspect of your case UNTIL IT IS REQUESTED. I would not advise calling PGN/CA directly....they are not tracking cases and there is no need to give yourself an ULCER over it. Talk to your agency.
2 - The legality/constitutionality of these changes are being challenged. We're not giving up!
3 - If you are debating on switching countries, don't make the decision soley on emotional exhaustion. Every country has its changes and many country's have factors that are *almost* as frustrating. You may find yourself jumping from the frying pan INTO the fire!
4 - Keep the pressure on DOS and your government representation.
5 - Find 2 vent buddies. One person that is IN the process and you can blow off steam privately without getting an adoption forum upset with you. The second person should be someone NOT in the process, but maybe who has adopted before. They may be able to give you some objectivity.
6 - The questions are being asked, and I am sure that we will get answers. Again, there is no use speculating, panicing or trying to get a *jump* on things before it is asked of you.
7 - We (the United States) are third party to the Hague. Technically, we are not bound to the Hague implementation (though, it may not mean much to DOS and the CA)
Also note: You are ONLY getting pieces of information right now. For some, it is needed. For others, it causes undue stress....consider giving yourself a break from the news.
As for me...YES, I am disturbed at some of the information. YES, I am upset that our wonderful foster care may be gone. YES, I am upset that my wonderful lawyer may be out of work. YES, I am upset at the impact that this may have on the number of children that could fall through the cracks. HOWEVER, these things HAVE NOT HAPPENED YET.....and I tend to wonder if they WILL happen since it is in conflict with Guatemalan law.
If you have not read and signed the Position Statement, click here.
OK, so that is my 2 cents. Just remember....International adoption is tough.....but the addition to your family is priceless.
Kelly
Thank you Kelly ... I believe that you make some very good points! This all seems to be 'a work in progress' at this point and we probably need to let the dust settle a bit. I think taking a break from the news would help my blood pressure tremendously! Thanks for your work in keeping up this site ... it's greatly appreciated.
Laurie
Posted by: Laurie at July 3, 2003 02:29 PMMY LAWYER SEEMS VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE STATE DEPT STATEMENT
Posted by: RALPH at July 3, 2003 02:52 PMI received new pictures and a medical report on my son today....it really helps keep focused...as painful as it is wondering when and sometimes even if...these pictures sure brightened my day...Kelly you are so right about taking a break from all the day in day out followings..you have provided us with the most valuable information imaginable....I'm staying out of the forums for awhile! Thanks again for all you are doing!
Posted by: Daena at July 3, 2003 06:06 PMThat seems like good advice to me. We don't really know how any of this will work out. I have found that cool, calm, collected, and focused accomplishes the most in the least amount of time.
Posted by: John at July 3, 2003 10:27 PMThank you Kelly for all of your information. Can you comment on the status of PRE-March 5th cases? We have been in PGN for 8 weeks and have not been kicked out yet. Are any pre-March 5th cases being processed right now?
Posted by: Joanne at July 4, 2003 08:08 AMWhen they say Post March 5th to June 30th. What does this mean? Does it mean your dossier was registerd with your Lawyer between those dates? Or does it mean your dossier was lodged with PGN between those date?
Why cant they just explain these new date rules?
Posted by: Jackie at July 5, 2003 05:48 AMGood advice, Kelly. The same group who put together the position statement (including me) will have a letter ready for the BCIS and DOS by July 6. We will make it public (maybe on this page) and ask that everyone please send it to their representatives and the BCIS/US Embassy officials. It asks for them to resume their jobs of processing DNA authorizations and I-600s for abandonment cases, to meet with adoption professionals in Guatemala (which they have refused to do so far, referring everyone to PGN), and to help in getting PGN to answer some questions raised by their recent web publications. Please keep an eye out for this letter and distribute it to as many relevant parties as you possibly can. Only if we have a focused, coherent message will we be heard, and even then only if the numbers are great enough!
~Maura Meade-Callahan (position statement coauthor)
KELLY, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. MY FAMILY IS WAITING PATIENTLY FOR OUR DAUGHTER, RUTHIE TO COME HOME. JUST BEING ABLE TO READ YOUR POSTS PUTS THINGS INTO A LITTLE BETTER PERSPECTIVE FOR US. I AM ALSO WONDERING ABOUT THE DATE QUESTION...OUR PAPERWORK HAS BEEN IN GUATEMALA SINCE APRIL 16TH, BUT IT IS NOT IN PGN YET. WHERE DO WE STAND? PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
LAURA
Kelly,
I am so grateful for the great work you do at keeping this site up to date. I agree with all that you have posted. If I look back in just the past 7 months since I got on to the list serves, I can't believe all of the changes that we have had to endure! I don't blame people for being tired; but your point about not giving up because we are emotionally exhausted is so true! I personally know other people who have been through similar unknowns after switching to "more stable" countries.
Thanks again for keeping us up to date (or at least as up to date as humanly possible!).
Any news update from Susana Lucara? We are anxiously awaiting any word from her.Her explanations and interpretations have been so valuable.
Posted by: kimberly at July 7, 2003 02:39 AMthere are loving hearts waiting for these babies
Posted by: kathy jordan at July 9, 2003 02:29 PM