If I Wasn’t Already Nauseous… EW!
Posted: April 12, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I updated my MySpace profile to include my six week photo as my default photo. I even went through the hassle of writing a brief blog over there for my high school, college, and so on friends that don’t read everywhere else. Then I went and took a gloriously needed nap. I came back to the computer to find some comments, some messages… and THIS:
From a user named Lifetime Adoption:
HI there. I was hoping to add you to my friends list….so we can network.
Thank you so much,
Lifetime Adoption….#1 in Domestic Adoption
Seriously. My stomach lurched. I haven’t even had a pregnancy picture up for two hours and an adoption agency wants to “add me” so we can “network.” What in the? I’ve heard of Lifetime in the past but I couldn’t remember if they were good or if they were one of the “bad ones.” However, I replied immediately with:
Why would I want to network with an adoption agency?
Nothing more, nothing less.
Edited to Add: Then they had the cajones to reply again:
Just as a resources – if not for you then for people on your friends list. You never know when someone might need some support or advice.
Seriously. Almost threw up.
Then I bebopped around their MySpace page, threw up in my mouth a little more and then looked them up on their official website. Oh yeah, because I want to give my baby (which was planned?) to an agency who thinks having a picture of President Bush holding one of their children is a GOOD thing?! OMGRUNAWaY!
I did have a brief moment of thinking, maybe they don’t suck when their big graphic for expectant parents actually says: “Pregnant? Considering Adoption?” But that was quickly blown out of the water when the title for information for those considering adoption was “For Birthparents.” Die. It gets worse with their free services to “birthparents,” which is coercing expectant mothers into thinking that they can’t utilize said services if they decide to parent and will have to pay back everything. (I think in Illinois you do. Someone hit me up with that factoid.)
Going back to their Myspace, I was even more saddened to see that they’re members of such groups like 2006 Mommies and Dedicated Teen Parents. But I’m confused even more when they’re in Mommy, Pregnant and TTC Group. Have we now reached such an unethical standard that we’re trying to rip purposefully conceived babies out of Mothers’ arms? (I know, which brings the whole North Carolina non-birthmom/kidnapping thing back into mind.)
Frankly, the fact that they are trying to be SO present on MySpace and are contacting pregnant women at random SCREAMS of unethical practices. So, my advice: stay far, far away.
The Discussion
see what everyone is saying
I wish there was a consumer reports of adoption agencies.
How gross. The idea of an agency (or any person, for that matter) trolling around on MySpace looking for pregnant women is just sick.
Be careful what you say about them publically. They have went after people for statements online,sadly.I know a couple of people who went through a big mess over this.The statements were true,but it did not stop the legal threats.
I used them. Not as awful as some agencies I’ve heard about but I dont recommend them at ALL.
Just re-read my comment and maybe that first sentence should read they used me…
Ew. That’s really freaky.
Downright scary!
[...] my last post where I discuss being harassed by an adoption agency via Myspace: I’m really beefed about [...]
Oh, man. That’s effed up.
Hopefully, they’re trolling the TTC boards to talk infertile mothers into considering adoption instead of other means (if that’s any less gross…)
Good God. Did you happen to read the page for “Birthmothers” on what to do next? When you’re “Pregnant and considering adoption??”
Of the “Next Steps,”
1. Review waiting families
2. Choose your first, second and third choices.
3. Call the agency to arrange a meeting with PAP’s.
Counseling isn’t mentioned until #6…and I’m not sure why they mentioned it at all. They discuss nothing about researching options for parenting.
Oh, and the scholarship for “Birthparents” isn’t coercive at all. If you give us your baby, we’ll give you some money to go to school.
Jenna, it’s not pregnancy making you ill…it’s these people. I’m vomitous myself now.
Uugh.
That is seriously, seriously screwed up.
[...] reference to the MySpace disgustingness, Lifetime Adoption has updated their MySpace page. Some of my favorite key points: WE DO NOT [...]
If threatened with a lawsuit for publically criticizing a business, threaten with a countersuit for malicious litigation. With the deep pockets of the agencies, I’ll bet some attorneys would line up to countersue.
Horrible. I tried to post a comment on their site, but you have to be their “friend” to do that. Hardly.
OMG that is screwed up! I’m twenty one weeks but I haven’t had any approaches as I’ve not announced it on my Myspace page…I can’t believe the gall of some people…