Hello all! I realise that everyone might be a little busy at the mo and have other things to think of but I just wondered if I could ask if anyone has successfully adopted when they have a chronic condition? I've had Rheumtoid Arthritis for 16 years and for the most part it is under control but I do have blips when I need a steroid injection to help calm down my joints. I work full time and have never had to take a day off for arthritis. When I'm researching adoption it seems that having a chronic condition is obviously an issue. It is scaring me a lot if I'm honest and I am just hoping that someone out there can tell me something positive in relation to this. I do have a wonderfully supportive partner and parents who are in their mid 60s and keep fit. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Wishing everyone and their families good health in this challenging time.
Adopting with a chronic condition
Yes there are people who have adopted with chronic health conditions - Pear Tree being one. Can’t tag people here but I’ll message her
Actually I think you can now message her?
Thank you so much for this reassuring message, Donatella. I also had another private message which was positive too. I really appreciate you taking the time to get in touch with me when there is so much going on in the world. It has really helped me a lot :)
I'm so sorry, I don't seem to be able to message Pear Tree but if they have time, it would be good to hear of their experience too.
Hi I have put a message on your chat (hoping it works!)
in short yes you can adopt with a chronic illness and you sound like yours is well controlled,
when you apply you might meet some misunderstanding and prejudice. often because social care can view people with chronic illness/ disability as people who are ‘done to’ . not used to dealing with people who Are articulate, bright and offering them something rather than the other way round.
Some social workers are suspicious that you are adopting in order to get a child Carer ( honestly!)
so
what can you do is start thinking practically. In my experience people with chronic illness and disabilities are very good at working round problems/ barriers. This imo is a key skill for any adoptive parent so do emphasise this, think of examples where you thought round it.
your support network will need to be really robust. (Adopters laugh at this bit as most of us loose support network within the first year!) but start working out what would practically happen in a flare or in hospital.
Perhaps during your rest times you could do reading etc with children ? Thinking about the potential things that will need addressing before the social worker mentions it shows good initiative on your part.
i have messaged you on chat as I mentioned before.
All the best
Thank you so much for replying to this when I'm sure that you must have more than enough to deal with at the moment. I've only been on here for a couple of days and I can't believe the help and reassurance I've been given - thank you! You have really set my mind at ease after reading some negative things on some agency sites. One said that you had to be in good physical health and that chronic conditions may have implications for a child's security and future care. It was such a blow to read this. We also went to an information evening last year and they were hugely positive until I mentioned my RA.
It is so good to have practical tips and to know what to focus on. I like to be prepared so thanks for the warning that we may come up against this kind of attitude. I'll get lists made for how we will provide care on possible flare up days for me and think about how I cope with challenges! We really are at the early stages and know that we have a very long road ahead but you need a little bit of hope and you have given me that - thank you so much!
Hi Skylark. Can’t comment on the chronic condition but have some experience of negativity from agencies due to being single and the career that I have. I went to one local authority info evening and when trying to talk about my situation the social worker took a sharp intake of breath,shook her head and said that I probably wasn’t suitable. Roll on 8 months and I’ve just been unanimously approved at panel by a voluntary agency and have just started family finding. As mentioned above, be proactive in addressing any concerns that may be raised before they are raised and meet with different agencies until you find the right fit. Good luck x
Thank you so much for taking the time to send such a positive message! That was so kind of you! It helps to know to try other agencies rather than local authorities too. I really felt we didn't have much of a chance after attending our local authority open evening.
That's absolutely wonderful news about your unanimous approval - congratulations! Wishing you all the very best with you family finding! :-) xx
Thank you. Good luck with your journey x
I’ve sent you a private message.
Read-Only
This topic is read-only. You must log in to reply.
