A friend at work asked me some interesting questions that I hadn't thought about for awhile. I kept playing out the answers in my head so it seems they need to come out somehow.
Was it expensive? I will answer that with another question, "What is the price for a life?" Yes, we've made sacrifices to make this happen but in the greater picture it was nothing. Really. I believe we'll be held accountable someday for the decisions we've made with our resources and this is one I don't think I'll have to explain.
Aren't you concerned about having 2 white children and one that is darker? We've spent many hours talking about this. In the beginning of our process we talked about it alot, questioned our ability to raise this family well, and strategized about all the possibilities. In the perfect world we wouldn't have to answer this question, there would be a mommy and a daddy for every child that would look just like them. But the reality is that there are 3 million orphans in Ethiopia alone, that's just one country. 3 million bedtime stories that won't be read tonight, 3 million skinned knees that need a kiss, 3 million little heads looking for a shoulder to lean on.
I know I can't save them all but it makes a differenct to this one. So we'll do the best we can and be intentional about race and culture. We hope that this is an opportunity for our family to see the world as a bigger place. We do not want our family to be mono-cultural. We want our American kids to accept Ethiopia as part of their identity just like we want our Ethiopian child to see herself as American. We realize this won't be an easy task and I'm sure there will be moments where we fail miserably but maybe with a little grace we'll all come out ok.
P.S. I know big numbers like 3 million are hard to grasp so I did a little comparision. My town, Lafayette has a population of approximately 25,000, Boulder County's population is about 293,000, the state of Colorado's population is 4,750,000.
Why not adopt a child from the US? Great question. We also talked a little about this but honestly it never felt like the right option. There is a waiting list to adopt healthy children in the US and we didn't want to be part of the foster care program. You could argue that these are excuses and not reasons and that might be partly right. All I know for sure is that it wasn't the right decision for us.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
small steps
You all know it wouldn't be me without a post about our HealthCare bill. I know there are 2 opposing sides to this issue and my intent is not to create more controversy but you know that I work with the underserved. Many of my patients benefit from Medicaid or Medicare. I do support this bill even though I don't think it goes far enough. It is a small step but better a small step than no step. The following was taken from an email sent by our CEO.
Talking Points: Americans Will See Immediate Benefits As a Result of Health Reform
· The legislation passed last night [March 21, 2010 US House of Representatives] is a victory for American families, for seniors, for workers and small businesses – for Americans who deserve the security of knowing that in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the American dream.
· The legislation passed last night brings down health care costs for American families and small businesses, expands coverage to millions of Americans and ends the worst practices of insurance companies. And it begins to do so this year.
· As a result of this bill, Americans will begin to see significant benefits take effect this year, with other important reforms following shortly after.
This bill will immediately begin to lower health care costs for American families and small businesses.
o In 2010, small businesses that choose to offer coverage will begin to receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make employee coverage more affordable.
o In 2010, adults who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable insurance through a temporary high-risk pool.
o This bill starts to close the Medicare Part D donut hole in 2010 by providing a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the gap in prescription drug coverage. And beginning in 2011, the bill institutes a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the donut hole.
o Starting this year, new private plans will be required to provide free preventive care: no co-payments and no deductibles for preventive services. And beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare will do the same.
o In 2010, this bill will provide help for early retirees by creating a temporary re-insurance program to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees age 55-64.
Under health reform, Americans will see an immediate expansion of coverage.
o This year, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage. The bill outlaws that practice for new health plans as well as grandfathered group plans. Moving forward, no insurance company can deny a child coverage based on his or her health.
o This year, new health care plans and select grandfathered plans will allow young people to remain on their parents’ insurance policy up until their 26th birthday.
o This year, insurance companies will be banned from dropping people from coverage when they get sick, and they will be banned from implementing lifetime caps on coverage. This year, restrictive annual limits on coverage will be banned for new plans and grandfathered group health plans. Under health reform, Americans will be ensured access to the care they need.
o The bill increases funding for community health centers so that nearly double the number of patients can be treated in their community health centers over the next 5 years. The funding begins in the next fiscal year.
o The health reform bill will increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants through new investments. This funding takes effect in the next fiscal year.
Health reform will immediately curb some of the worst insurance industry practices and strengthen consumer protections.
o Beginning this year, this bill creates a new, independent appeals process that ensures consumers in new private plans have access to an effective process to appeal decisions made by their insurer.
o Starting January 1, 2011, insurers in the individual and small group market will be required to spend 80 percent of their premium dollars on medical services. Insurers in the large group market will be required to spend 85 percent of their premium dollars on medical services. Any insurers who don’t meet those thresholds will be required to provide rebates to their policyholders.
o This year, discrimination based on salary will be outlawed. New group health plans will be prohibited from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that discriminate in favor of higher-wage employees.
o This bill holds insurance companies accountable for unreasonable rate hikes. Starting in 2011, it helps states require insurance companies to submit justification for all requested premium increases. Any company with excessive or unjustified premium increases may not be able to participate in the new health insurance exchanges.
o Beginning this fiscal year, this bill provides funding to states to help establish offices of health insurance consumer assistance in order to help individuals in the process of filing complaints or appeals against insurance companies.
Source: Phil Kalin, CIVHC ED, written by Joan Hennenberry
Talking Points: Americans Will See Immediate Benefits As a Result of Health Reform
· The legislation passed last night [March 21, 2010 US House of Representatives] is a victory for American families, for seniors, for workers and small businesses – for Americans who deserve the security of knowing that in this country, neither illness nor accident should endanger the American dream.
· The legislation passed last night brings down health care costs for American families and small businesses, expands coverage to millions of Americans and ends the worst practices of insurance companies. And it begins to do so this year.
· As a result of this bill, Americans will begin to see significant benefits take effect this year, with other important reforms following shortly after.
This bill will immediately begin to lower health care costs for American families and small businesses.
o In 2010, small businesses that choose to offer coverage will begin to receive tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums to help make employee coverage more affordable.
o In 2010, adults who are uninsured because of pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable insurance through a temporary high-risk pool.
o This bill starts to close the Medicare Part D donut hole in 2010 by providing a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the gap in prescription drug coverage. And beginning in 2011, the bill institutes a 50% discount on prescription drugs in the donut hole.
o Starting this year, new private plans will be required to provide free preventive care: no co-payments and no deductibles for preventive services. And beginning January 1, 2011, Medicare will do the same.
o In 2010, this bill will provide help for early retirees by creating a temporary re-insurance program to help offset the costs of expensive premiums for employers and retirees age 55-64.
Under health reform, Americans will see an immediate expansion of coverage.
o This year, children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage. The bill outlaws that practice for new health plans as well as grandfathered group plans. Moving forward, no insurance company can deny a child coverage based on his or her health.
o This year, new health care plans and select grandfathered plans will allow young people to remain on their parents’ insurance policy up until their 26th birthday.
o This year, insurance companies will be banned from dropping people from coverage when they get sick, and they will be banned from implementing lifetime caps on coverage. This year, restrictive annual limits on coverage will be banned for new plans and grandfathered group health plans. Under health reform, Americans will be ensured access to the care they need.
o The bill increases funding for community health centers so that nearly double the number of patients can be treated in their community health centers over the next 5 years. The funding begins in the next fiscal year.
o The health reform bill will increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants through new investments. This funding takes effect in the next fiscal year.
Health reform will immediately curb some of the worst insurance industry practices and strengthen consumer protections.
o Beginning this year, this bill creates a new, independent appeals process that ensures consumers in new private plans have access to an effective process to appeal decisions made by their insurer.
o Starting January 1, 2011, insurers in the individual and small group market will be required to spend 80 percent of their premium dollars on medical services. Insurers in the large group market will be required to spend 85 percent of their premium dollars on medical services. Any insurers who don’t meet those thresholds will be required to provide rebates to their policyholders.
o This year, discrimination based on salary will be outlawed. New group health plans will be prohibited from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that discriminate in favor of higher-wage employees.
o This bill holds insurance companies accountable for unreasonable rate hikes. Starting in 2011, it helps states require insurance companies to submit justification for all requested premium increases. Any company with excessive or unjustified premium increases may not be able to participate in the new health insurance exchanges.
o Beginning this fiscal year, this bill provides funding to states to help establish offices of health insurance consumer assistance in order to help individuals in the process of filing complaints or appeals against insurance companies.
Source: Phil Kalin, CIVHC ED, written by Joan Hennenberry
Sunday, March 21, 2010
a little hope
After being told the week before that we would definately travel 2 times to Ethiopia, we were told this week that it is "highly likely" that families who already have a referral will only travel once. I had to read the email twice to make sure I was getting it. I was totally shocked. So now we feel like our rollercoaster ride has arrived at the top again and we aren't sure how long we'll be up there or if the next part is a quick descent again. And either way there is no way to anticipate the next move. So stay tuned...
We recieved a few pictures this week from another family that traveled to Ethiopia last week to pick up their children and I was so excited to see a picture of her sucking her thumb. I thought Parker would really be able to make a connection with her so I showed him the picture and said, "She sucks her thumb just like you do." To which he responded, "Mommy, I think I see a bugger in her nose." The point was lost on him but it did bring me a smile.
In other news, I my baby is 7 years old now. I can't believe it except that every time I stand next to her I feel shorter and shorter. She is growing and changing every day. Some days I still feel like the mamma providing for her every need and other days I'm reminded of the indepentent person she is growing into. I am so blessed by her.
We recieved a few pictures this week from another family that traveled to Ethiopia last week to pick up their children and I was so excited to see a picture of her sucking her thumb. I thought Parker would really be able to make a connection with her so I showed him the picture and said, "She sucks her thumb just like you do." To which he responded, "Mommy, I think I see a bugger in her nose." The point was lost on him but it did bring me a smile.
In other news, I my baby is 7 years old now. I can't believe it except that every time I stand next to her I feel shorter and shorter. She is growing and changing every day. Some days I still feel like the mamma providing for her every need and other days I'm reminded of the indepentent person she is growing into. I am so blessed by her.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Not part of the plan
We have been on a rollercoaster for the last 24 hours and I'm ready to get off so maybe now is a good time to post an update. Prior to now I don't think I could have done it coherently.
We learned 2 days ago that the Ethiopia program for all adoptions going forward is a 2 trip process. This changed because parents were going to Ethiopia to pick up their children after the court had finalized the adoption and then decided not to take their children home. Of course this is devasting for the children and I cannot imagine the headache it creates for the government as well. So they have decided that all parents will have to travel to meet their child first and give their consent to adopt and then go home and wait for the court to hear the adoption case weeks later.
This is not what we had planned and in fact is part of the reason we chose Ethiopia to begin with. There are many countries that require this already but I didn't think I could do that. I don't think I can hold my child, smell their sweet head, feed them and then give them back to someone to take care of for me. So emtionally I am a wreck. I have always believed that our adoption was part of God's plan for our lives and I still believe that but right now I don't know what He's tinking. Seriously! I know the Bible says He will not give us more than we can handle but I'm pretty sure he has overestimated my ability to do this. I'm pretty angry right now...The other big issue is the finances. We have carefully budgeted for this and 2 trips isn't part of that. It will easily cost us another $3000 for this trip. So even though I would like to give God the silent treatment right now, I can't because I need to talk to Him about our finances, if this is part of His plan I have no other choice than to let Him figure out this piece as well.
But I must say that I have been blessed these last few days. I do not want to forget to be thankful for the many friends who have supported us. All of your love, support, shoulders to cry on, and encouraging words have been overwhelming for me. Sometime soon, when I'm through being mad, I think I'll realize that this was God's love reaching out to us too.
We learned 2 days ago that the Ethiopia program for all adoptions going forward is a 2 trip process. This changed because parents were going to Ethiopia to pick up their children after the court had finalized the adoption and then decided not to take their children home. Of course this is devasting for the children and I cannot imagine the headache it creates for the government as well. So they have decided that all parents will have to travel to meet their child first and give their consent to adopt and then go home and wait for the court to hear the adoption case weeks later.
This is not what we had planned and in fact is part of the reason we chose Ethiopia to begin with. There are many countries that require this already but I didn't think I could do that. I don't think I can hold my child, smell their sweet head, feed them and then give them back to someone to take care of for me. So emtionally I am a wreck. I have always believed that our adoption was part of God's plan for our lives and I still believe that but right now I don't know what He's tinking. Seriously! I know the Bible says He will not give us more than we can handle but I'm pretty sure he has overestimated my ability to do this. I'm pretty angry right now...The other big issue is the finances. We have carefully budgeted for this and 2 trips isn't part of that. It will easily cost us another $3000 for this trip. So even though I would like to give God the silent treatment right now, I can't because I need to talk to Him about our finances, if this is part of His plan I have no other choice than to let Him figure out this piece as well.
But I must say that I have been blessed these last few days. I do not want to forget to be thankful for the many friends who have supported us. All of your love, support, shoulders to cry on, and encouraging words have been overwhelming for me. Sometime soon, when I'm through being mad, I think I'll realize that this was God's love reaching out to us too.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Welcome
Here it is, the Harrison family blog. Now our adventures will be documented, electron style. I like to journal and let's face it, it is much faster to type. There are so many of you who have shared in our adoption journey so far and this is just one more way for us to include you in that.
Why "blueberries and chocolate chips"? When Bella was a baby one of my cousins called her "blueberry eyes." I thought that was the sweetest thing and then a few weeks ago when we got baby Kayin's picture, one of the first things that struck me were her big dark eyes. So blueberries and chocolate chips it is. And here's a shout out to John for the inspiration!
Which brings us to our latest adventure. It seems we started this process so long ago. For me the journey started about 25 years ago (someday I'll share that story) but the short version begins after Parker was born. I started looking for agencies and thinking and praying about which country to adopt from. Then about 6 months of paperwork. I have never notorized so many documents. The notory gets her stamp out now when she sees us coming. Then 14 long months of waiting and then...on Feb 22 we recieved the call. I was working and literally couldn't speak coherently to the social worker (I know that's hard for some of you to believe). I knew why she was calling and I got all choked up. But that's been about the last time I have cried, since then I've not been able to stop smiling when we talk about the baby. For now we're calling her Kayin. Kayin means "long awaited child."
In many ways this winter has seemed to drag on and I'm not sure it was all weather, although I am tired of snow and clouds and rain. It feels like we are about to emerge from a long winter of the soul too. A long winter of waiting, waiting for the sun to come out, waiting for change, waiting for this new member of our family...And then just about the time I thought I couldn't wait anymore, we got the call, and we had some warm days. So maybe it will end, I'm still not sure if we are there yet but I have hope now.
Why "blueberries and chocolate chips"? When Bella was a baby one of my cousins called her "blueberry eyes." I thought that was the sweetest thing and then a few weeks ago when we got baby Kayin's picture, one of the first things that struck me were her big dark eyes. So blueberries and chocolate chips it is. And here's a shout out to John for the inspiration!
Which brings us to our latest adventure. It seems we started this process so long ago. For me the journey started about 25 years ago (someday I'll share that story) but the short version begins after Parker was born. I started looking for agencies and thinking and praying about which country to adopt from. Then about 6 months of paperwork. I have never notorized so many documents. The notory gets her stamp out now when she sees us coming. Then 14 long months of waiting and then...on Feb 22 we recieved the call. I was working and literally couldn't speak coherently to the social worker (I know that's hard for some of you to believe). I knew why she was calling and I got all choked up. But that's been about the last time I have cried, since then I've not been able to stop smiling when we talk about the baby. For now we're calling her Kayin. Kayin means "long awaited child."
In many ways this winter has seemed to drag on and I'm not sure it was all weather, although I am tired of snow and clouds and rain. It feels like we are about to emerge from a long winter of the soul too. A long winter of waiting, waiting for the sun to come out, waiting for change, waiting for this new member of our family...And then just about the time I thought I couldn't wait anymore, we got the call, and we had some warm days. So maybe it will end, I'm still not sure if we are there yet but I have hope now.
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