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MY STORY
I first thought about adoption about 12 years ago, when I knew that I would not be able to conceive. However, at that time I was told I was 'too old' to adopt as I was approaching 35, and 'unsuitable' as I was single. Like many people I was put off at the first call. Several years later, when in a stable relationship I was convinced to try the IVF route, after three failures I decided that it was not to be and it was time to get on with my life. I had always wanted to make documentaries and I put my heart into in. When doing some research into Russia for a film, I was shocked to discover about the situation of the orphans there.
I looked more and more into it and realised that my interest was something other then academic. Here I was in a lovely home, just me, and there are all these hundreds of thousands of children without homes. Another call to the social services informed me that the age criteria had change as too the marriage status but as my father was Dutch, and so I could only be matched with a half Dutch child in this country. Now there are 80000 chilren in care in the UK but not one that is half Dutch!
Those Russian eyes were still haunting me so after consultation with a few of my friends I decided to take the leap. In December 2002 I again called the social services and this time I told them that I want to do an international adoption. After 3 weeks I had heard nothing so I called them again and my home study started in Jan 2003. After approximately 8 visits my homestudy was complete and in June I went to panel. In July the panel decision was ratified and my papers sent to at that time the Department of Health, who 3 months later sent me notification that they had received my application and sent me all the details for China, after correcting them I received the correct papers but were told that my social services hadn't actually signed their form. etc etc. In January 2004 I received my Certificate of Eligibilty and started to gather all my other papers for my Russian adoption. I flew out to St Petersburg that June and deposited my dossier. And then I waited for 'the call'.
In April 2005 I finally received a phone call to say that there was a child for me. I flew out again to Russia to meet my son and was enchanted.
Now the pressure was on to bring him home. More papers were required for the court date and they were urgent to get to the judge before she took her 2 month annual holiday. Needless to say social services did not rise to the bait and my court date was set for 1 November when I became a 'Mama'. I had to wait 14 days until I could bring my boy out of the orphange and another week before we came home. Almost 3 years to the day.
The journey was tough, but I can honestly say it is the best thing that I have ever done. Just looking at the smile on my son's happy face tells me that it was all worth it.
CONTACT US
We are here to help you with any questions that you may have regarding international adoption. If you have any enquiries or require further information please feel free to contact us. All calls will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Tel: 08444157827
4 Antrobus Road LONDON W4 5HY United Kingdom
email: info@internationaladoptionguide.co.uk
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