There is no question that the latest Ebola scare throughout the world has affected many areas of life. Unfortunately, recent media reports indicate that adoption is one of those areas being affected, which can cause significant emotional and financial complications for families attempting to adopt. According to one media report, at least one United States family is experiencing difficulty with their adoption attempt due to the fear of Ebola.
According to reports, a Minnesota couple is experiencing a delay in the adoption of a Liberian boy. The missionaries purportedly have been working on adopting the boy since July after meeting the boy through their work with Teamwork Africa. The 8-year-old boy is reportedly in good health, but suffers from a deformity in his legs requiring the use of a wheelchair. According to the adoptive family, there is too much risk simply to fly to Africa to pick up the boy and bring him back to the U.S. This situation no doubt is causing great concern for everyone involved as they attempt to find a suitable resolution to the adoption delay.
For the Minnesota family, their primary goal is to continue the adoption process and also ensure that their adoptive child stays healthy and avoids being exposed to Ebola. Once the threat has passed, sources indicate that the boy, and potentially the parents, will be quarantined for at least 21 days before traveling back to the U.S. in order to ensure that they are not infected with Ebola. One of the most heart wrenching details of this case is the fact that the Minnesota family have worked as missionaries for years raising money for sanitizing stations to be set up across the country. Their efforts to help others and provide safe water for those in need, and their attempts to provide a safe, loving home for the little boy, are no match for the increasing concern about Ebola spreading to the U.S.
This story highlights the importance of U.S. families seeking to adopt a child internationally to consider the international issues that could factor into the adoption case. Any adoption can be a complex and lengthy process, but international adoption is often even more so, especially when there is a threat of exposure to toxins or illness. These complexities are exactly why it is imperative that anyone seeking an international adoption consult with an experienced adoption attorney.
Do Not Wait to get Help if Ebola is Threatening your Adoption
Because every adoption case is different, there is no “cookie cutter” approach to handling any complexities that arise. At McDowell Chartered, we are well aware of the many complexities that can make adoption frustrating and overwhelming, and are prepared to help ease any frustration and secure a positive outcome. Our office is conveniently located in Wichita, Kansas, but we serve clients throughout the state in a variety of family law matters, including adoption. While most adoption cases will not involve a complication as serious as Ebola, there are many reasons why adoptions can be delayed, and it is important to act quickly when that happens.
If you are moving through the adoption process and have come across a complication or concern, get the help you need right away. Contact the Kansas Adoption Lawyer at McDowell Chartered today to find out what your options are to keep your adoption case moving in a positive direction. To set up an initial consultation, call McDowell Chartered at (316) 633-4322. No matter how difficult your case may seem, we can help you find the resolution you need.