Q: My husband and I hope to adopt an infant. My husband is in a wheelchair due to a spinal cord injury. Will that prevent us from adopting?
A: Parents (adoptive or not) come in all sorts, shapes, and sizes, and there is no restriction on adoption by people with physical limitations. During the home study process, your family’s ability to parent a child will be assessed. Be prepared to explain how you will handle parenting and meeting your child’s needs at all developmental stages. Before selecting a social worker, adoption attorney, or adoption agency, be sure to ask about their policies and previous successes at helping people with physical limitations to adopt. It’s critical to select a team that will advocate for you.