Jen's on her way to pick up a baby girl!!

[RemixBoyNJ]

WHOO HOOO that is great news YAY

 

[ChrizJen]

I'm so glad it worked out!

Thank goodness for the ACLU! It's been awhile since I've donated to them. (I tend to rotate different causes in and out.) But this reminds me that they should definitely be at the top of the list!

Was this religious agency receiving government $? (I'm assuming they were.) It's so disturbing that they take government money yet they don't have to follow the government's rules about discrimination.

That's what I don't get. I would assume that all foster placements have to go through the city/state government at some point, even the ones that eventually end up in private agencies. I know that they have to stick to all of the rest of the government requirements and guidelines. And I know that they MUST be receiving some sort of funding from the governement. I'm sure they don't depend solely on private donations. I wonder the same thing about churches and other organizations that claim tax exemption. How exactly are they able to discriminate?

Regardless, I guess I can live with the fact that they're allowed to discriminate. They have a right to operate according to their beliefs. And I'll be the last person to withold rights from anyone. I suppose I look at this situation as similar to the argument that some have about churches and gay marriage. What happens if we recognize gay marriage, then churches are forced to perform them? I don't expect any church to deviate from their beliefs and marry my partner and me. I'll go elsewhere. Same applies here. I don't expect any religious agency to place a child with my partner and me. We had other venues through which we could have gotten a foster placement. Ones that wouldn't (and couldn't) even think about discriminating against us. But it so happens that this agency was the one to call us. And as I said before, they're the ones who made the "mistake" of placing her with us. But they can't go back now and remove her because they realize in hindsight that they "messed up". This whole thing just has my head spinning...

 

[Uncle Remus]

It's encouraging to see justice in cases like this.

Congratulations to all 3 of you and the ACLU attorney too.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Extremely awesome news! I am so happy to hear that things worked out the way that they should have. Thank you for standing up and protecting the little one. You rock!

 

[C&G'sMama]

Thank you to both of you.

I am the biological mom to our 2 children and DP who I consider the "real" mom is the adoptive mom. She is the one that is the SAHM. She's the one that can go into details about our daughter's hearing loss. She's the one that takes our son to his specialist appointments for his Asperger's. She's the one that never left our daughter's room for 72 hours when DD was 12 days old and waiting for her first surgery. She's the one that stayed awake in the hospital while DD slept in her dress. Don't get me wrong I love my children and I would do anything for them but if anyone is the real mom it is her. So if I ever lose my job and we have to look to move. I can't go "anywhere" as some people say. I'm not going to move to a state where she is not recognized as the mother of her own children.

So I guess I'm saying "THANK YOU" to both of you. And I'm sure other foster parents in MO can look up to you.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Gratz so much!!

 

[rpmdfw]

Awesome News!

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I don't know where to start! I'm rocketing between seething disgust with a so called religious agency trying to pull something like that (removing the child AFTER the fact) and pure joy for you that the ACLU came through!

I promise you, I am not vindictive. I have had the opportunity to sue, and most likely would have won, and chose not to.

This is different. This is a baby's life, and who knows how many other babies that are at risk of being manipulated and treated badly due to this misguided agency.

If you have the time, heart and money I'd "vote" that you press your suit.

I am so sorry the three of you had to go through this, but I'm so very pleased that you won so quickly!

 

[Saxton]

Congratulations! I'm so happy for the 3 of you!! Honestly I didn't expect anything to happen this quickly - I thought you would have a long battle ahead of you. It's a good thing she has you two looking out for her.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

what a lucky lucky baby!!

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

Since we have some good news today, I thought we might as well merge this with the original thread and keep the story altogether.

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

It IS GREAT news!

 

[ChrizJen]

Thanks T&P Fan for merging these two threads together!!!

It'll be nice to have sort of a running account of all of these events!

Thanks everyone for the continued support and kind words!
I was talking to Jen last night about this whole thing after we put the munchkin to bed, and we were commenting on how utterly exhausted we were!! We compared it to being in a car wreck. When it happens, adrenalin kicks in and helps get you through the rough part. But then when things calm down is when it really sinks in and you realize the toll it takes on your body, mind, and spirit. It's been quite a ride these past few days, and I'm sure there'll be more to come...

In another bit of news, the case worker was at the house yesterday evening for a home visit, and she said that there will be one more Family Support Team meeting before they transition our case into the city. And she asked me to be there! Up until now, it's always just been Jen because she's the "licensed" one. But she specifically asked me to be at the next meeting because she realizes that I'm as much a part of this whole thing as anyone else. That was nice to hear!

She also thanked us for standing up to them and fighting. She said that even though she works for the agency, she was appalled by the events of the past few days, and she was hoping beyond hope that we would fight back.
She said that she'll miss us, and asked that we keep in touch with her regarding the case. We're going to miss her too.

 

[Goofyluver]

Congrats and much love to all 3 of you.

Thank you both for standing up and fighting.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I am glad the ACLU was able to step in and provide some assistance.

I think this is also a good time to remind everyone of this post...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2044194&page=1

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Wow, I'm just seeing this now and am kind of glad I didn't see it while the placement was still in jeopardy. So glad everything worked out!

 

[TinkerChelle]

What a journey! I just read through this thread and am super proud to be a lesbian right now! U go girls! Congrats and enjoy the munchkin!

 

[Hedy]

I popped over here after seeing Chris' teething post. I'm so glad everything worked out for the three of you-I'm tearing up just reading it.
Please know you're in my thoughts.

 

[starann]

TinkerChelle......did I see a baby ticker on you sig?????? Did you announce this before and I miss it, or are you announcing it now?!?!?!?!!?

CONGRATS!!!!

 

[bubie2.5]

TinkerChelle......did I see a baby ticker on you sig?????? Did you announce this before and I miss it, or are you announcing it now?!?!?!?!!?

CONGRATS!!!!

I was wondering the same thing.