More handicapped children adopted
10. mar. 2010 13.53 EnglishIf you want to adopt a child, the wait is long. Therefore, more and more couples choose to adopt a handicapped child, or one who has other special needs, the two Danish adoption agencies AC Børnehjælp and DanAdopt tell daily newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad.
Managing director of DanAdopt, Marianne Wung-Sung, reports that from 2008 to 2009, the number of adoptions of children with health issues - typically minor heart problems and minor physical deformities - doubled from 10 to 20.
The decision is discussed with prospective parents in depth before they make their choice.
- We have a thorough conversation about what they, as parents, would be willing to accept. The child's handicap must be in line with the resources in the individual family, says Marianne Wung-Sung.
According to Michael Paaske from adoption association Adoption og Samfund, Denmark has hitherto been criticised for only wanting to adopt very young children with no visible health problems.
Translated by Martin Lamberth