Not quite. Below are some details about what’s happened since we arrived home and what’s ahead. We’ve been home for 5 weeks and the best part of the adoption journey has only just begun J
Paperwork:
We are currently waiting on Tori’s Social Security card and Certificate of Citizenship to arrive. Once we have those documents, we can go through the “re-adoption” process and obtain a PA birth certificate. China also requires several different post adoption reports. These reports are written and submitted by our agency (Living Hope) and are completed at 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3, years, 4 years, and 5 years since arriving home. Our first post adoption visit is scheduled for January 2018 and includes a case worker coming out to our house to meet with everyone.
We are currently waiting on Tori’s Social Security card and Certificate of Citizenship to arrive. Once we have those documents, we can go through the “re-adoption” process and obtain a PA birth certificate. China also requires several different post adoption reports. These reports are written and submitted by our agency (Living Hope) and are completed at 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 3, years, 4 years, and 5 years since arriving home. Our first post adoption visit is scheduled for January 2018 and includes a case worker coming out to our house to meet with everyone.
Medical:
So far, all of our appointments have taken place within the CHOP network. They have a fabulous international adoption clinic in which you are assigned a doctor once you’ve received the initial referral for your child and they review any and all updates that you get throughout the process. They then have a pre-travel phone conference with you, are available for communication while you’re in-country, and then schedule a full evaluation and lab work once you return home. They also help to schedule any specialist appointments that may be needed.
So far, all of our appointments have taken place within the CHOP network. They have a fabulous international adoption clinic in which you are assigned a doctor once you’ve received the initial referral for your child and they review any and all updates that you get throughout the process. They then have a pre-travel phone conference with you, are available for communication while you’re in-country, and then schedule a full evaluation and lab work once you return home. They also help to schedule any specialist appointments that may be needed.
Adoption Clinic: We met with our doctor (Dr. Hachen) and an occupational therapist (Dr. Lynch) a few weeks after arriving home. They observed Tori and met with us to evaluate things like attachment, development, emotions, language, interactions with us and with strangers, as well as how she’s eating/sleeping. Since Dr. Hachen had the background information from the referral and updates we received, she also helped us to compare what we’ve observed so far to what we knew before meeting with Tori. There was also a Mandarin interpreter there to help with communication.
Orthopedics: Dr. Hachen helped us schedule an appointment with Dr. Richardson (an orthopedic surgeon at CHOP) before we left for China. After he evaluated Tori’s leg and watched her walk, he recommended that we provide her a SACH (Solid Ankle Cushioned Heel) prosthetic foot. At this point, x-rays and surgery are not needed. We have an appointment coming up with a company called NOPCO in Philly. They will be making Tori’s prosthetic device. It will take about 3-4 weeks (as well as about 3 appointments) before we have the finished product. They’ve also recommended that she be evaluated for physical therapy needs and receive services after she has her prosthetic. This will help her become comfortable walking with it and will enable her to access her environment without many limitations.
Vision: During the clinic evaluation (which took about 2 hours), Dr. Hachen had concerns about Tori’s vision because she was holding things up very close to her face. Luckily, the optometrist (Dr. Malik) they wanted us to see was in the office and had an opening in her schedule. She did a full vision evaluation (which also took about 2 hours) and we found out that Tori is a bit near sighted. She recommended a trial for glasses. We took her to be fitted for frames (Miraflex) and will hopefully have her glasses in a couple of weeks.
Dental: We have an initial appointment scheduled for Tori next week. We do not have any information about her dental history at this point.
Follow Ups: In a few months, we will have follow up appointments for orthopedics, optometry, adoption clinic, and physical therapy. Once we complete many of the initial appointments with CHOP as well as giving her time to transition, we will also be following up with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit to see what types of services she may qualify for that can take place while she’s in school.
The Transition Home:
The first week home was spent mainly recovering from jet lag, healing from sicknesses, and spending time as a family of 4. We had a lot of great bonding time while in China and wanted to continue that in our home environment. Tori has been slowly introduced to family and friends as well as places outside of our home. She does get overwhelmed when in large crowds or when multiple strangers come up to talk to or touch her (especially men). She will often shy away. She has begun day care with Wesley and seems to be doing pretty well. Her daycare teachers and director have been great at helping us make that transition as seamless as possible. Outside of daycare and our close family, we are trying to limit the number of people that hold her and act as potential caregivers. This is not to be offensive to anyone, but is a strategy to help her develop her dependency on us as her primary caregivers when we are present. In the mornings before school and in the evenings, we are limiting activities so that we can focus on being present and reaffirming the attachment we’ve made with both her and Wesley. There are many things that we still need to work through and many of those things will take time—developing language, trust, belonging, and comfort. Fostering the relationship between her and Wesley as well as making sure that both kiddos know the depth of our love for them and that they are both important members of our family. Wesley has had a difficult time with the transition, but is making progress in having positive interactions with his sister and with us. Making progress, no matter how big or small the steps, is what we are focusing on now. We’d appreciate your continued prayer support as we navigate through the medical requirements ahead.
The first week home was spent mainly recovering from jet lag, healing from sicknesses, and spending time as a family of 4. We had a lot of great bonding time while in China and wanted to continue that in our home environment. Tori has been slowly introduced to family and friends as well as places outside of our home. She does get overwhelmed when in large crowds or when multiple strangers come up to talk to or touch her (especially men). She will often shy away. She has begun day care with Wesley and seems to be doing pretty well. Her daycare teachers and director have been great at helping us make that transition as seamless as possible. Outside of daycare and our close family, we are trying to limit the number of people that hold her and act as potential caregivers. This is not to be offensive to anyone, but is a strategy to help her develop her dependency on us as her primary caregivers when we are present. In the mornings before school and in the evenings, we are limiting activities so that we can focus on being present and reaffirming the attachment we’ve made with both her and Wesley. There are many things that we still need to work through and many of those things will take time—developing language, trust, belonging, and comfort. Fostering the relationship between her and Wesley as well as making sure that both kiddos know the depth of our love for them and that they are both important members of our family. Wesley has had a difficult time with the transition, but is making progress in having positive interactions with his sister and with us. Making progress, no matter how big or small the steps, is what we are focusing on now. We’d appreciate your continued prayer support as we navigate through the medical requirements ahead.
