Reading medical records from sending countries is no easy task. You have to understand that what is said is not always what it appears and what is not said is also important. The knack for deciphering orphanage records comes with experience and on site visits to orphanages. In general, international adoption clinics are utilized before, during and after an adoption. While many agencies rush families through this critical, life-changing step, Dr. Dana Johnson reminds parents that they are entitled to a reasonable amount of time to evaluate information on a specific child.
Some clinics also offer assistance while parents are in the birth country.
A family may see a child in an orphanage and recognize a serious, unexpected issue. Mason has a beeper number to connect with families whenever needed. Post-adoptively, Dr. Mason sees children either immediately, within a week, or 1 to 2 months after arrival, depending on the child's needs. In the case of an emergency, an immediate hospital rendezvous is arranged. For chronic medical or behavioral issues that present less of an emergency, such as ongoing diarrhea, a child will be seen within one week of arrival.