IA Doctor Review

We debated this back and forth.
As to whether or not we would send Alyzabeth's photos and medical records off to a Doctor that specializes in International Adoptions and interpreting the records received with your referral.

In the end, after mulling it over with a fellow adoptee family we made the decision to do it, if for no other reason than our own peace of mind. AND in the event there were issues that needed to be addressed, we would have a head start in making the preparations to meet those needs. This was never a question about whether or not we were accepting the referral. We had already signed the paperwork declaring loud and clear; YES - Alyzabeth is our daughter!

Based on the recommendation from our friends referenced above, we used the Floating Hospital for Children at Tuff's Medical Center in Boston. In particular, we used Dr. Laurie Miller. We Expressed Mailed copies of our referral packet (photos, medical checkup, skill development assessment, etc) along with the donation followed by an email to Dr. Miller informing her of our request for an evaluation. We included the Express Mail tracking number. We also attached one photo of Alyzabeth to the email for identification purposes.

Dr. Miller responded immediately and we conducted the consultation by phone as I followed along from the original paperwork. She was kind, very matter of fact and allowed for questions without a sense of being hurried along. We will be receiving a followup packet from Dr. Miller in the mail.

So, are we recommending that other families do the same? No, not at all. We simply wanted to share what we did because we know many of you have the same questions and concerns that each of us share. We know there is considerable debate within the adoption community as to the value of these evaluations.
For us, we're glad we did it. We received a heads up on a few things to look for and a ringing endorsement from Dr. Miller. Call it peace of mind. Call it what you will.

We just know that we want time to rush by so we can bring Alyzabeth home...
peace
fm