Any Canadian domestic, state adoption stories?

[GMum]

DH and I are considering adoption. We are looking at International (Rwanda) but are also now thinking that we overlooked domestic state adoption too quickly. I am finding it really hard to find any personal stories that would help us in our discussions. Sadly, I have just come across lots of negative opinions on adopting a child with special needs/health issues and from a different ethnic background and how it would impact us and our daughter - but those are just opinions and not actual stories!

I'd love to hear some realistic personal stories and thoughts from fellow Canadians as it would really help us in our discussion. As background info, we live in a small town in BC (Nr. Prince George). There are two adopted kids in our extended family from Ethiopia and my niece is AA. DH also has a link to First Nations in his family. We would love to become a mixed race family. As for medical issues, we are trying to be realistic on what we think we could handle and are trying to do our homework. We have 1 DD who will be 3 in December. Please feel free to PM me if you prefer.

Thank you in advance!

[miche28]

I don't have a first-hand success story - we considered a public adoption and for a variety of reasons, I don't think that it will be the route we end up with (though we're still open to it if it happens).

However, there are lots of positive stories over at http://www.canadaadopts.com- families from across the country who have adopted through the public system (incl from BC), w/ some kids special needs & some not.

The good part (in Ontario anyway, not sure abt BC) is that most of the prep work is pretty well the same w/ PRIDE training and homestudy, so your options are really fairly open until fairly far in the process. That was good for us as we really shifted our focus as we thought through the pros and cons of each path.

HTH! Good luck!

[SChaloux]

I will be reading in on this, I have the exact same questions and goals and a similar background (including being part native!). I am sadened by all the negative opinions towards mixed race adoption, international vs. domestic, etc.

I would love to hear some personal stories.

[miche28]

Have contacted the Native CAS in Toronto, Schaloux? While the technically service Toronto, I think they cast a wider net to find the right families for the kids in their care than most CAS - so would definitely be worth a call.

[GMum]

Thanks for the link Miche28 - I'm madly devouring all the info/threads! SChaloux, I hope you find some good information. I would check out the link too as I'm finding it really helpful.