Financial assistance for Thalassemia patients.

welcome Baron6,

I personal dont believe in coincidence,I also believe that you were chosen to care and parent that little girl for reason that is beyond our comprehension.
 If it so, it would be wise to follow your instinct ,I trust you will be guided and given the necessaries  e:g ,finance and assistance required for her upbringing,
It is good that you are getting the informations as to how or why, but at the end of the day it all has to do with your destiny and the belief, in  own   capability.

This little girl is a blessing to your life and with your help she is going to have a special life.
we all have got a purpose  on this planet ,Maybe yours is to be a parent to that special little girl.
Good luck and hope for the best. you both will be alright.


I know some might call me naive, it doesnt matter I belive in goodness and faith.
Kathy

Hi Kathy,

Thank you for putting it so well. I agree that we all have a purpose in life and for years I wondered what mine was. This group answered that in my life.

Baron6, Kathy has put it so well. Why have you been put in this position in your life? Only you can answer that. You have an opportunity to give Antonella a good life and in return you will have a wonderful, loving child. We are here to offer support in any way we can and to help answer your questions and direct you in any way we can.

Best wishes. 

I cannot thank you enough for your words of encouragement!

Words God knew I needed to hear after this day of mixed messages.
We will go forward hoping and praying that God will continue to pave the way.

I look forward to letting everyone know when she is home!!
Then I am sure I will have a whole new set of questions!!

Thanks for caring!!

Hi Baron 6,

I'm really happy that you plan on giving Antonella a loving home. God has blessed this little girl. I hope you will note something when you read posts from the parents of thal children. One thing you will see universally is how much the parents love their children. I was just reading a post from the parents of a young boy of 1 year and 8 months who has already received 16 transfusions in his life and the parents describe him as "their darling son". For thals and non thals alike, what is most important is that loving parents make good parents. 

Hi there:
We also are adopting a child with Thal major and we already have an adopted daughter with Thal major.  She is the BIGGEST blessing to us!  I would suggest joining the Yahoo group adoptingThalassemia too. 
Your child will thrive under your care.  We were SO worried before we met our daughter.  The moment we saw her we just felt like all the worrying was for nothing because any treatment that she needs is just a simple inconvenience compared to the joy she brings us.  Now, we go about every 3 weeks for "refueling" and we monitor her diet and blood levels.  She will go on ExJade when the hematologist feels it is necessary. 
When will you bring your child home?
Blessings,
Mommy to 4 E's
~Rebecca

Hello,

It is encouraging to hear that you are adopting a second thal major child.  How special it will be for the two girls to go through life with a sibling who can relate!!
I have already posted on the adopting thalassemia site and have gotten in touch with some others who have already adopted like you.

I have learned so much about Thalassemial in the last few weeks.  It is amazing to think that just a few short weeks ago I had never even heard of Thalassemia!!

I am not sure when our adoption will be final.
Our little girls paperwork is in court but there are some complicating factors that may or may not add to the timeline depending on the judge that reviews the case.
The courts are on break in Albania so we will not find out any more until maybe October.

I really feel this is a calling for our family,  I trust that God will work everything for good. 

This site has been a source of valuable information and encouragement.
 
Thanks for your message. 

I think it's wonderful that people with such good, caring and giving hearts are led to these thal children who need families. You will surely discover how special these children are and what a blessing has been brought into your lives.

Hi welcome Baron! I'm so happy there's someone like you who would actually doesn't mind if the kid you're about to adopt has a thalassemia..... It is so nice of you to care for a child who would be needing more help than you could ever think...... All the best for you and and your new kid....... take care and Godspeed to you always.......

Your hearts will be changed forever in going through with your adoption.
These are very special children who are sensitive to their illness and those
who love and care for them.  You will never regret the comfort and joy
you can contribute to their life by being there for them.

Often, as with people of all ages and various illnesses, the public is not
always understanding and sensitive to the emotional needs of these
special children.

We are a family of Italian-Albanian descent who had a child with major-Thal.
In answer to your question about financial assistance I would say check with
local resources in your State and local government.  We had found CAF in
New Jersey very helpful at the time - the administrative staff is about the
best you can find in the world.  Unfortunately, local chapters are limited
for support as they are comprixed of mostly volunteers - however, they
could benefit you as a support group.  Much will fall on your own shoulders
however in being aggressive in seeking out the best doctors and treatment,
as even after so many years many institutions do not properly treat Thal
patients - not that they don't want to - or that they don't care, but they
have little experience in this area - although they may have a textbook
knowledge of the illness.

I noticed you had a referral to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and
that was very good advice.  Children's there has a long standing record of
treatment and success with Thal patient's - our family member had received
excellent treatment there, however it was early on and not much was known
about Thal back then.   So your little child would have the benefit of all the
years and experience such a hospital has to offer.  I know it is not in your
backyard - but the treatment and results would be worth it I am sure.

It is possible there may be equal care and treatment at the University of
Michicago Hospital - I am not familiar with your area.  You may wish to
contact the chief of hematology at Children's in Chicago for a name of
any physician who is known for treating Thal patients in your area.  Don't
make the mistake of not going to a specialist - you will realize this after a
while.

Best wishes for you and your beautiful child.  Feel free to contact us at any
time for a private conversation or support.  God Bless!

Frank in Chicago
clusoe@comcast.net

Hi Frank and welcome to the group,

Thanks for your excellent advice about seeing a specialist. Thalassemia is a complex disorder and most doctors are not familiar enough to be able to design treatment programs unique to each patient, as a specialist will be able to do. I think all patients should see a specialist at least once per year. A comprehensive care program is very beneficial.

That is also an excellent point about parents needing to parents needing to be proactive about finding proper treatment. It is very important for parents to be fully involved and to also educate themselves about thal and the various requirements involved with treatment. Parental involvement is the reason older patients, who did not have current treatments available to them when they were young, are alive today. Today, we have so much information available via the internet, that parents and patients may often be aware of new developments in treatment before their doctors do. A proactive parent who brings new information to the attention of treating doctors can make a big difference in their children's lives.