Please bring home our daughter: A couple struggles with the bankruptcy of Imagine Adoption
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 | 11:25 AM ET
Submitted by Holly and David Guistini
About: I am one of the families caught in the Imagine Adoption bankruptcy. My husband and I live in Kitchener with our two dogs, and two cats.
Our take: We have been trying to have a family for five years now. We have had a really bad run with luck. I have managed to get pregnant twice on my own. Both times I have almost died. The first time, five years ago, I didn't know I was pregnant until I was internally bleeding and in the hospital.
I had a blood transfusion and barely lived after emergency surgery. The doctors told me I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured and I lost a tube. They were hopeful that I was young enough to recover and would be able to get pregnant with no assistance because I still have one fallopian tube left.
From that moment on we knew we were ready for kids. I left my job after three years as a preschool teacher to earn some more money, with a goal of becoming a stay-at-home mom in the upcoming years. We bought a house, got married and were ready!
Several years later and still no pregnancies. We went through the long and grueling process of fertility treatments in town. After refinancing our home, and using every ounce of our savings, we again ran into bad misfortune.
I had two unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fetilization, suffering from hyper-stimulation which led me to be off work, and on close watch.
We decided to adopt last spring. I am adopted and have a wonderful life! I had a great experience meeting my birth mother, and half sister about five years ago. I was thinking positive, and thought perhaps this is what we were supposed to do in life. We were excited for our next adventure!
We researched agencies, and countries and fell in love with Ethiopia! Imagine Adoption was a favorite choice as well. They were in town, and super friendly. We enjoyed their seminars, feedback, and all the successful adoption stories.
So, off we went to the bank to take out a credit line to pay (let me tell you adoption is NOT cheap.) We paid our retainers and went along with the adoption process. We hired a social worker and were approved to adopt by the Canadian government eight months later.
And her we are today, sad, confused and wondering. Her name is to be Addison, the capital city in Ethiopia is Addis Ababa, we thought it was fitting. She has a beautiful purple room, with African dolls lining her shelves, and crib.
She has multicultural books and music. She even has Godparents. The love we all have for her is unbelievable and we have never even met.
We are desperately waiting for the government to commit to us that they will put through ALL remaining adoptions that were licensed with Imagine Adoption.
Please help bring home our children.
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Comments
looski
Edmonton
My heart goes out to this couple. We too have had nothing but bad luck. We have been on the family planning roller-coaster for 7 years. Most of our friends and family don't even know what to say anymore.
At least now people don't expect me to attend baby showers- thank god! I'd rather get a root canal. I honestly can't even bring my self to buy anymore baby gifts for other "happy couples".
Every time I see the commercial "Just imagine, you are a little pregnant...." I want to throw a brick at the TV. Every time someone says " I know a gay couple who adopted and they are happy..." Oh- being happy with adopted children is unusual?? I am not gay so why would I care?
Or "Wow only another 1 1/2 to go before you get your baby? That isn't long at all!" Really? and you got pregnant the first month? Do you really think you have the right to say that?? Why we unlucky ones hang in there I don't know!
Posted July 28, 2009 02:23 PM
Michelel
Sudbury
Thank you for posting your story. I'm so happy to hear of other couples in our situation. Thank you so much.
Posted July 28, 2009 03:12 PM
Shannon
On
Thank you for being so strong. I have been following the news ever since this story broke. I am amazed each week as I learn more. I have seen such a strong group of families continue to hold on to this dream as it is so important that these children make it to the homes that are waiting for them.
I just hope Canada start to put a plan into action soon, As these families will keep working till the children are home and in a family that is waiting for them.
I will look forward to the day I can read the story about everyone who lived this nightmare is now home with their children.
Posted July 28, 2009 04:35 PM
Sidney Vlieg
Calgary
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. We too are one of the families caught up in the Imagine Adoption bankruptcy. We have not been matched yet but I hope your family will be together soon.
Posted July 28, 2009 09:33 PM
Moe
Ottawa
Our hearts go out to you and your family as well, we can only hope that the Canadian Government helps to bring you child home to Canada so that all the years of suffering to want to start a family are behind you.
Hang in there
Posted August 4, 2009 01:08 PM