Tuesday, November 03, 2009
A Little Late, But Still VERY Important and Newsworthy
On Friday, if you haven't already heard, a VERY important thing happened in our country.
For many who are adopting internationally it is a long, tedious, paper-filled, and expensive process. All to bring home a little one into a family. But for those adopting children with HIV, this process was made even longer. Not only were they required to submit additional paperwork, but additional money to process the paperwork, and the children were then labeled differently and treated differently upon arrival to the states. But even though those things were bad enough, the worst part was the extended time it took to get these children home. Simply because they were HIV positive.
If you don't know by now, HIV is managable, more manageable than diabetes. It's considered purely a chronic disease. We have easily accessible medications and treatments. It's "nothing." Really. But in many many countries the stigma, the fear, the ignorance is still there. Many countries see these children as lepers. Outcasts who will die. Who would want them??? They are children. God's children. Children who didn't ask for this thing called HIV. Children who can live normal, healthy lives, if given the opportunity.
And thanks to many behind the scenes faces, this happened on Friday...
"President Obama announced on Friday, October 30 2009, that the travel ban into the United States by individuals with HIV would be lifted. Kathleen G. Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, stated earlier today “we will publish a rule in the Federal Register announcing that the United States will drop HIV from the list of diseases barring visitors from entering this country, effective Jan. 1, 2010.” "The lifting of this ban will eliminate the filing of a 601-waiver application for children who are HIV positive and adopted by U.S. citizens."
Hip, Hip, HOORAY!!!
For many who are adopting internationally it is a long, tedious, paper-filled, and expensive process. All to bring home a little one into a family. But for those adopting children with HIV, this process was made even longer. Not only were they required to submit additional paperwork, but additional money to process the paperwork, and the children were then labeled differently and treated differently upon arrival to the states. But even though those things were bad enough, the worst part was the extended time it took to get these children home. Simply because they were HIV positive.
If you don't know by now, HIV is managable, more manageable than diabetes. It's considered purely a chronic disease. We have easily accessible medications and treatments. It's "nothing." Really. But in many many countries the stigma, the fear, the ignorance is still there. Many countries see these children as lepers. Outcasts who will die. Who would want them??? They are children. God's children. Children who didn't ask for this thing called HIV. Children who can live normal, healthy lives, if given the opportunity.
And thanks to many behind the scenes faces, this happened on Friday...
"President Obama announced on Friday, October 30 2009, that the travel ban into the United States by individuals with HIV would be lifted. Kathleen G. Sebelius, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, stated earlier today “we will publish a rule in the Federal Register announcing that the United States will drop HIV from the list of diseases barring visitors from entering this country, effective Jan. 1, 2010.” "The lifting of this ban will eliminate the filing of a 601-waiver application for children who are HIV positive and adopted by U.S. citizens."
Hip, Hip, HOORAY!!!
Monday, November 02, 2009
More Doctors
Today Olivia and I were in Chicago for her three month appointment. I have always loved going, and so does she, the doctors and staff at the University of Chicago Hospital are top notch wonderful! I must say that they are still outstanding but I was a little disappointed today.
Olivia goes every three months to have blood drawn, any needed vaccines given, and levels checked. We also hear what her levels were like from our last appointment, three months prior. So today I learned that some of her numbers were not so good. I wish that instead of sitting on those numbers for three months, they would have at least called and made me aware. Not that there's anything I could have done, but to find this out today, when they've known for three months, was a little aggravating.
One of the numbers is one that had gone down in the past, and one of her medicines was changed as a result of this. The other though, is one that has NEVER gone up in the almost five years she's lived with me, and that is the one that concerns me. Her number in this area should be less than 50, and it was 260. Now, many children have numbers even higher than this and their numbers eventually go down and are less than 50, at times fluctuating back up once in a while. I know that, and I know that all these children are healthy and vibrant and "fine." BUT, she has NEVER been over 50. That's a big deal to me. That's information I would have liked to have known three months ago. And I would think that that would have been something that we could have gone in for before now to retest, even to our local outpatient center, and have seen what the numbers were at a later date... but not three months later. Maybe??? Maybe it's just me. ??? So, her blood was drawn, and testing will commence, and I was told that in a week, when they have their results, I'll be called about the numbers from today and we'll "talk then." It's going to be a LONG week. At least I have things to keep me distracted. :)
Like these three monkeys! :)
Olivia goes every three months to have blood drawn, any needed vaccines given, and levels checked. We also hear what her levels were like from our last appointment, three months prior. So today I learned that some of her numbers were not so good. I wish that instead of sitting on those numbers for three months, they would have at least called and made me aware. Not that there's anything I could have done, but to find this out today, when they've known for three months, was a little aggravating.
One of the numbers is one that had gone down in the past, and one of her medicines was changed as a result of this. The other though, is one that has NEVER gone up in the almost five years she's lived with me, and that is the one that concerns me. Her number in this area should be less than 50, and it was 260. Now, many children have numbers even higher than this and their numbers eventually go down and are less than 50, at times fluctuating back up once in a while. I know that, and I know that all these children are healthy and vibrant and "fine." BUT, she has NEVER been over 50. That's a big deal to me. That's information I would have liked to have known three months ago. And I would think that that would have been something that we could have gone in for before now to retest, even to our local outpatient center, and have seen what the numbers were at a later date... but not three months later. Maybe??? Maybe it's just me. ??? So, her blood was drawn, and testing will commence, and I was told that in a week, when they have their results, I'll be called about the numbers from today and we'll "talk then." It's going to be a LONG week. At least I have things to keep me distracted. :)
Like these three monkeys! :)
National Adoption Month
November is National Adoption Month.
In honor of that I'm going to try to create at least one new post each day this month.
For today, take away this thought: if only 7 percent of the worlds Christians each adopted just one child, do you realize that there would be no more orphans in this world? Astonishing!
In honor of that I'm going to try to create at least one new post each day this month.
For today, take away this thought: if only 7 percent of the worlds Christians each adopted just one child, do you realize that there would be no more orphans in this world? Astonishing!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
This and That
We had a great day today. It was kind of nice not having TONS of candy after Halloween like we normally do. It was just too chilly to be out as long as we usually are, but we still had a great time and got a decent amount of goodies. :) I admit I've had a few of the kids' treats, but am watching what I splurge those calories on, and not having too much at any one time. :)
Tomorrow we head back to Chicago for Olivia's next Dr. Appt. It usually goes quickly and then we have some time to spend together having lunch and hitting some good thrift stores. She's becoming good at spotting bargains for herself! It's nice to have some time together every so often.
Two Saturdays ago Liam had another seizure. He had his last one in August, and only two prior to that over a year before. They started him on meds in September. All three of his previous seizures had happened during the night, this one came on in mid day. It was scary as ever, but at least I was more prepared mentally, rather than waking up in the middle of the night and finding him unresponsive. Since this was a first in the day and a first since being on meds, and since it lasted almost five minutes before the ambulance arrived, I had them take him to ER. We grabbed jackets, packed a few snacks and the Leapsters, and went to the hospital to meet them.
He was awake and sad when we arrived, but coming more to himself again. They ended up testing his med levels to make sure he was ok in that area since his neuro doctors hadn't checked them since he began the meds, but those looked good. No idea what happened or what triggered the seizure.
The doctor was not so nice. I take that back, he was nice, but made quite a few remarks that I wasn't happy about. He was condescending and patronizing and I don't think he grasped that I even understood what he was insinuating. Believe me, this is not the first time I have received comments such as the ones I heard this day. Many many hospital workers have been wonderful in the years I've been a foster/adoptive parent, but there have been some, like this doctor, who must see the words "Medicaid" or "foster care" or see the fact that I'm a single mom, or an interracial family, or whatever it is that triggers this person into assuming certain things. Assuming I'm uneducated, or that I have no money, or that I don't know how to care for my children, or that I am "using" the government and taxpayers... or???
Today what I heard was that he wasn't sure my neuro doctors would want me to bring Liam in every time or not, and that if they didn't trust me as a parent or thought I was overwhelmed with how many kids I had that maybe they would so that he could be checked out, but that if they trusted me as a parent then maybe I could keep in touch and let them know what happened instead, and if kids have a fever I should take their socks off and try to cool their bodies, but otherwise I should bundle them up a little warmer than I bundle myself, you know, like if I had a short sleeved shirt I might want to put the kids in a long sleeved shirt, or if I was in a long sleeve I might want to put them in a long sleeve and a jacket, maybe a hat, and would I be contacting his neuro doctors or should they, and was I working tomorrow? (Sunday), and on and on... Boy, it's so good he was there to share these pearls of wisdom. I don't know how I would have survived child raising otherwise! :)
By the way, Liam did NOT have a fever so removing his socks as he told me about this and then having Liam get upset because he likes his socks on, which, what do you know, I knew, wasn't the best idea, and the kids and I were all in a long sleeved shirt, pants, and a jacket. AND, the kids, even my extreme ADHD wonder, were VERY well behaved, so where he even got the idea I was overwhelmed to make THAT comment I have NO idea.
Sorry. I see that I'm ranting. It is just so frustrating. This person doesn't know me from Adam, and yet feels he can judge me and jump to conclusions about me??? I don't get it. I didn't even try to say anything back because I knew he wouldn't listen. When he asked if I was working the next day, Sunday, I did tell him no, I was a teacher, but don't think that that even registered. I'm thinking of writing a letter. When you're in a situation where you're worried and upset and just trying to take care of your child, to be hit with these statements just is not what you want to hear. That's when it's nice if there's another adult with for support, but alas, it's just me. :) Oh well. I just kept talking to God (in my head) for patience and understanding. I didn't want to jump to conclusions about him the way he had about me, and I didn't want the kids to see me frustrated and angry.
On to better and brighter... :) Liam's meds were upped again, yes I did contact his neuro doctors right away! :) In another week he'll go in for blood tests to check his levels again, then we go back on Dec 3 for his next EEG and appt. Hoping we're on the right track! :)
In other news, have you heard yet of Etsy.com??? It's a wonderful online marketplace for handmade items, any handmade items you could think of. I have bought some great things there! Sellers create their own "stores" on Etsy and list items they have for sale. You can find anything from apparel to jewelry to toys to furniture... etc. Long ago, when I was younger, :), I used to LOVE to share my creativity through crafts and other outlets. When I moved here that was put on the back burner. When I began as a foster parent I decorated my children's room with huge Wizard of Oz murals that I painted. Then I worked at scrapbooking, which I just don't have time for. And now, now I am working on opening my own Etsy store! I am extremely excited about this endeavor. I'm making jewelry and trying my hand at a few different things. Currently I'm working to build up a small inventory before actually listing anything, but soon, very soon, you'll be able to find my store at the following address:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/anglsamngu
Hopefully it will continue to fuel my creative side, while allowing me to earn a little more income for our family, give even more to causes close to our hearts, and potentially save toward a future adoption!
Tomorrow we head back to Chicago for Olivia's next Dr. Appt. It usually goes quickly and then we have some time to spend together having lunch and hitting some good thrift stores. She's becoming good at spotting bargains for herself! It's nice to have some time together every so often.
Two Saturdays ago Liam had another seizure. He had his last one in August, and only two prior to that over a year before. They started him on meds in September. All three of his previous seizures had happened during the night, this one came on in mid day. It was scary as ever, but at least I was more prepared mentally, rather than waking up in the middle of the night and finding him unresponsive. Since this was a first in the day and a first since being on meds, and since it lasted almost five minutes before the ambulance arrived, I had them take him to ER. We grabbed jackets, packed a few snacks and the Leapsters, and went to the hospital to meet them.
He was awake and sad when we arrived, but coming more to himself again. They ended up testing his med levels to make sure he was ok in that area since his neuro doctors hadn't checked them since he began the meds, but those looked good. No idea what happened or what triggered the seizure.
The doctor was not so nice. I take that back, he was nice, but made quite a few remarks that I wasn't happy about. He was condescending and patronizing and I don't think he grasped that I even understood what he was insinuating. Believe me, this is not the first time I have received comments such as the ones I heard this day. Many many hospital workers have been wonderful in the years I've been a foster/adoptive parent, but there have been some, like this doctor, who must see the words "Medicaid" or "foster care" or see the fact that I'm a single mom, or an interracial family, or whatever it is that triggers this person into assuming certain things. Assuming I'm uneducated, or that I have no money, or that I don't know how to care for my children, or that I am "using" the government and taxpayers... or???
Today what I heard was that he wasn't sure my neuro doctors would want me to bring Liam in every time or not, and that if they didn't trust me as a parent or thought I was overwhelmed with how many kids I had that maybe they would so that he could be checked out, but that if they trusted me as a parent then maybe I could keep in touch and let them know what happened instead, and if kids have a fever I should take their socks off and try to cool their bodies, but otherwise I should bundle them up a little warmer than I bundle myself, you know, like if I had a short sleeved shirt I might want to put the kids in a long sleeved shirt, or if I was in a long sleeve I might want to put them in a long sleeve and a jacket, maybe a hat, and would I be contacting his neuro doctors or should they, and was I working tomorrow? (Sunday), and on and on... Boy, it's so good he was there to share these pearls of wisdom. I don't know how I would have survived child raising otherwise! :)
By the way, Liam did NOT have a fever so removing his socks as he told me about this and then having Liam get upset because he likes his socks on, which, what do you know, I knew, wasn't the best idea, and the kids and I were all in a long sleeved shirt, pants, and a jacket. AND, the kids, even my extreme ADHD wonder, were VERY well behaved, so where he even got the idea I was overwhelmed to make THAT comment I have NO idea.
Sorry. I see that I'm ranting. It is just so frustrating. This person doesn't know me from Adam, and yet feels he can judge me and jump to conclusions about me??? I don't get it. I didn't even try to say anything back because I knew he wouldn't listen. When he asked if I was working the next day, Sunday, I did tell him no, I was a teacher, but don't think that that even registered. I'm thinking of writing a letter. When you're in a situation where you're worried and upset and just trying to take care of your child, to be hit with these statements just is not what you want to hear. That's when it's nice if there's another adult with for support, but alas, it's just me. :) Oh well. I just kept talking to God (in my head) for patience and understanding. I didn't want to jump to conclusions about him the way he had about me, and I didn't want the kids to see me frustrated and angry.
On to better and brighter... :) Liam's meds were upped again, yes I did contact his neuro doctors right away! :) In another week he'll go in for blood tests to check his levels again, then we go back on Dec 3 for his next EEG and appt. Hoping we're on the right track! :)
In other news, have you heard yet of Etsy.com??? It's a wonderful online marketplace for handmade items, any handmade items you could think of. I have bought some great things there! Sellers create their own "stores" on Etsy and list items they have for sale. You can find anything from apparel to jewelry to toys to furniture... etc. Long ago, when I was younger, :), I used to LOVE to share my creativity through crafts and other outlets. When I moved here that was put on the back burner. When I began as a foster parent I decorated my children's room with huge Wizard of Oz murals that I painted. Then I worked at scrapbooking, which I just don't have time for. And now, now I am working on opening my own Etsy store! I am extremely excited about this endeavor. I'm making jewelry and trying my hand at a few different things. Currently I'm working to build up a small inventory before actually listing anything, but soon, very soon, you'll be able to find my store at the following address:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/anglsamngu
Hopefully it will continue to fuel my creative side, while allowing me to earn a little more income for our family, give even more to causes close to our hearts, and potentially save toward a future adoption!
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Olivia - 14
Braeden - 11
Liam - 9
Macy - 5
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