Ahren's birthday and my view on agencies

Yesterday was Ahren's first birthday. I tried not to think about it. I tried to pretend it didn't matter. I tried to hang onto the hope we will eventually bring him home. Honestly, I tried. It didn't work. Here is where we stand. The entire investigation and final report are in an office of the Guatemalan government that deals with the 'status of the child'. They are reviewing the report and will then rule on the validity of the baby's birth certificate. If they OK the report, we move forward and he gets a new birth certificate and life is good. If they deny the report, then I don't know what happens. I have asked our agency repeatedly for information on what happens if the report is denied and they either ignore my messages or reply something inane that says not to worry they have had lots of cases go this long before. (Gee, that makes me feel soooo much better, NOT!) In addition, we have not received new photos or a medical update since September, although they keep promising them.

In the past, I didn't have anything to compare this agency to. No other experience. Now I do. The agency we are using for Peri Brynn is a completely different experience. Besides the fact that her case is flying along, I get constant feedback form the agency. They answer my questions, they respond to me quickly and professionally, and they treat me like a valuable client. It is amazing!

I wonder why some agencies feel that customer service is not necessary. I have received better service from the teenagers behind the counter at Taco Bell than I have from our first agency. We have paid large fees to both agencies, so it's not that the first agency is a 'discount' service. The first agency doesn't even use basic respect in communicating with us. I am absolutely apalled by this. We are not buying a used car, we are trying to bring home a much-loved child. An innocent little life. And things have not gone well. We should be shown some sympathy, not blamed for causing the problems. (Yes, they routinely try and blame us for creating the problems. We don't fall for it. We had nothing to do with his messed up birth certificate or the delays it has caused)

I would like to urge anyone and everyone who is considering adoption to research agecies carefully. Do not rely on the references the agency gives you. (I learned that at least one of ours we contacted for the first agency were fake) Talk to real adoptive parents who have used an agency and brought a child home. Find out how an agency performs when something goes wrong. That is the true test of an agency. It's easy for them to seem wonderful when things are going smoothly. How do they handle problems? Most of all, do NOT let them treat anyone like a second class citizen. The bad agencies will go under, the good agencies will prosper.

I have specifically not named the agencies we are working with. Once I have closure on each case, I will reveal the agency names, both the good and the bad, and I will reveal a lot of details about each. If I can do one thing that helps other adoptive families avoid the pain we are experiencing, then this is it. We are the perfect study of the best and the worst in Guatemalan adoptions. I just never imagined we would be in this position.

Happy Birthday baby Boy! Mama loves you......