Wide Horizons issues

ID · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

Seeking information on prevalence regarding delays, missing/incomplete
paperwork, lack of access to medical records and possible inadequate early
post-natal care, for 3rd party who is experiencing difficulties with
foreign adoption.

Archived from group: alt>adoption>issues

Jen Hall · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

ID wrote:
> Seeking information on prevalence regarding delays, missing/incomplete
> paperwork, lack of access to medical records and possible inadequate early
> post-natal care, for 3rd party who is experiencing difficulties with
> foreign adoption.
>
Hi there
I am using Wide Horizons, and was schedule for Guatemala, but am now
matched for domestic. So far, I've received excellent information
(however with domestic, it's mostly from third party attorneys, rather
than agency).

ID · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:01:01 -0400, Jen Hall wrote:

> Hi there
> I am using Wide Horizons, and was schedule for Guatemala, but am now
> matched for domestic. So far, I've received excellent information
> (however with domestic, it's mostly from third party attorneys, rather
> than agency).

Thank-you, this party is also dealing with Guatemala. May I ask why you
switched?

Jen Hall · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Well, I've just heard about all the problems with PGN in Guatemala, the
new guy is slow and the country is trying to muck up the process and
collect more fees. Wait times went from 3-5 months to 8-10 months,
children now over a year old. My domestic opportunity popped up, with
a really short wait time, for a newborn.

I have heard (not directly through Wide Horizons, just the rumor mill)
that Guatemala keeps closing and opening back up, almost daily. true?

ID wrote:
> On Sun, 03 Sep 2006 16:01:01 -0400, Jen Hall wrote:
>
>
>>Hi there
>>I am using Wide Horizons, and was schedule for Guatemala, but am now
>>matched for domestic. So far, I've received excellent information
>>(however with domestic, it's mostly from third party attorneys, rather
>>than agency).
>
>
> Thank-you, this party is also dealing with Guatemala. May I ask why you
> switched?
>

ID · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

On Mon, 04 Sep 2006 14:58:56 -0400, Jen Hall wrote:

> Well, I've just heard about all the problems with PGN in Guatemala, the
> new guy is slow and the country is trying to muck up the process and
> collect more fees. Wait times went from 3-5 months to 8-10 months,
> children now over a year old.

Thank-you, I appreciate your response. This mirror's my client's
experience. Aside from extra fees, demands for paperwork/processes to be
repeated and problems with medical records/confirmation of proper
post-natal care, she is concerned because the child has formed an
attachment to a foster mother and is learning to speak Spanish.

> I have heard (not directly through Wide Horizons, just the rumor mill)
> that Guatemala keeps closing and opening back up, almost daily. true?

I don't know, this is the first time I've heard that.

Birth4Mom3 · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 36

ID wrote:
> On Mon, 04 Sep 2006 14:58:56 -0400, Jen Hall wrote:
>
> > Well, I've just heard about all the problems with PGN in Guatemala, the
> > new guy is slow and the country is trying to muck up the process and
> > collect more fees. Wait times went from 3-5 months to 8-10 months,
> > children now over a year old.
>
> Thank-you, I appreciate your response. This mirror's my client's
> experience. Aside from extra fees, demands for paperwork/processes to be
> repeated and problems with medical records/confirmation of proper
> post-natal care, she is concerned because the child has formed an
> attachment to a foster mother and is learning to speak Spanish.

I would think that this is to be expected as this is her only or at
least her primary care giver. How would the child NOT form an
attachment??

>
> > I have heard (not directly through Wide Horizons, just the rumor mill)
> > that Guatemala keeps closing and opening back up, almost daily. true?
>
> I don't know, this is the first time I've heard that.

I have heard this as well. adoption.com has lots of Guatemala adoption
parents-in-process. You should try there for the full scoop.

ID · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

On Tue, 05 Sep 2006 06:46:39 -0700, Birth4Mom3 wrote:

>> she is concerned because the child has formed an
>> attachment to a foster mother and is learning to speak Spanish.
>
> I would think that this is to be expected as this is her only or at least
> her primary care giver. How would the child NOT form an attachment??

Naturally, but she had hoped to minimize the problems associated with
this. That's why she was *supposed* to be adopting an infant.

>> > I have heard (not directly through Wide Horizons, just the rumor
>> > mill) that Guatemala keeps closing and opening back up, almost daily.
>> > true?
>>
>> I don't know, this is the first time I've heard that.
>
> I have heard this as well. adoption.com has lots of Guatemala adoption
> parents-in-process. You should try there for the full scoop.

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

ID · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 14

On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:45:55 +0000, ID wrote:

Update:

After legal prodding and contact with top agency officials, Wide Horizons
finally supplied missing records for examination by medical professionals
and adoption was completed.

Apparently incompetent (or just lazy) staff worker was failing to
perform...that's the official story, anyway (maybe a scapegoat?). Said
staff worker transferred to Guatemala. Unknown whether this action was
"punishment" or removal from US Court jurisdiction to avoid
subpoena and deposition.

Warning to anyone traveling to Guatemala to adopt:

DO NOT travel about the city/country with child in your possession until
you have ALL completed paperwork as well. Reliable information indicates
that local police officials have recognized that the foreign adoption
"business" has presented them with a way to profit from these
adoptions by by arresting people whose paperwork has not been finalized.
They are charged with "kidnapping" and additional money is extorted from
them.

Don't go sightseeing, don't go shopping, don't leave your hotel with the
child unless you have all completed documentation or are accompanied by
the birthmother or embassy/agency officials.