[etoilech]

This is my first post, but I've been reading for a while now.

We have been seriously considering a move to New Zealand/Australia so in this preparation we of course scoured the two country's immigration sites and well as forums dedicated to this endevour. We were pleased to learn that we had plenty of "points" to immigrate with (hopefully) little difficulty. We then read about the health checks that both countries require not only of us, but our children too. At first we were not concerned. We are all healthy people. Then we saw that some health conditions are not accepted for immigration (TB, HIV, etc.). We were more uncomfortable with this information, but we felt fairly well assured we would be fine.

I directly emailed the Health Operations Centre Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Australia since we did not want to waste 2k applying when we would be denied. This is what I wrote and the response:

My original question:

realname: Olivia X

email: o.xxxxx@xxxxx.ch

subject: Website Enquiry

message: I have a question regarding medical suitability to immigrate to Australia. My husband has 120 points to immigrate in the independent skilled worker category. He is skilled in IT and has ran his own IT Security company for 10+ years in Switzerland. Our son has cerebral palsy, spastic diplegia to be exact. It is only his lower half that is affected. He is four and is now starting to take his first independent steps. He is intellectually normal and will only require minimal help at school as they expect him to be able to use a cane/crutch when ready. He currently has physiotherapy and occupational therapy, but is a very healthy boy otherwise. He has orthotic braces to help prevent his feet from deforming and give support for walking.

Would this be a barrier to us obtaining a visa to emigrate to Australia?

Thank you very much for your time. I can appreciate that you must receive many such questions and I respect that it takes time answer them individually, so thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Olivia XXXXXX - Switzerland

Their response:

Hello Olivia

Your child will be unlikely to meet the health requirement for Australian permanent visa grant if he is unable to independently mobilise. If he is making progress in this area, you may wish to delay lodgement of your application until such time as his mobility has improved.

Kind regards,

Health Operations Centre

Department of Immigration and Citizenship

Fax: +61 (0)2 8666 5900 / 5901

Email: Health.Operations.Centre@immi.gov.au

So, that was obviously upsetting. My question is is New Zealand of the same mindset? Does anyone know of where we could write to get a black and white answer as in OZ?

In any case I am disappointed I understand not wanting to burden their system, but we too would be paying our taxes into the system. Obviously treatment is not "free".

I'd love to hear if any of you had any similar experiences or you can point me in the direction or where to contact NZIS to get an answer. I've not been lucky enough to find an email address or from to ask these sorts of questions.

[Helsandfamily]

Hi etoiolech,

welcome to the forum. I don't have any experiences like yours, so can't really answer. I wonder if it would be an idea to discuss the issues with one of the immigration Doctors, they may be able to give further advice or even your paediatricion. (SP) If your child has mobility problems now and this is likely to be allievated in the future, then there may be a way around this with a medical waiver. It sounds like there are grounds for it to be looked at further.

Good luck

hels

[RamblingPaddies]

reading the question and the reply again, you said he was expected to be able to mobilise by himself using a crutch or cane ...

they've answered the question from the point of view of him NOT being able to mobilise - but you think he will and presumably a doctor specialist can back this up ... ?

so i'm wondering why have they said what they've said, when it might not apply to your case because you think your son will be able to be independent ...

sometimes its best to call them directly, instead of emailing because its too easy to just copy and paste an answer into an email without thinking about it.

as far as NZ having the same attitude, i don't know, but the medicals appear to be quite strict too.

[Andy-Dee]

Can't help I'm afraid - but good luck

[JandM]

Yes, indeed - all the very best.

[etoilech]

Hi etoiolech,

welcome to the forum. I don't have any experiences like yours, so can't really answer. I wonder if it would be an idea to discuss the issues with one of the immigration Doctors, they may be able to give further advice or even your paediatricion. (SP) If your child has mobility problems now and this is likely to be allievated in the future, then there may be a way around this with a medical waiver. It sounds like there are grounds for it to be looked at further.

Good luck

hels

Well, my husband also thought their use of the phrase "independently mobilise" was rather vague. He *can* walk with a walker. He is learning to walk with a crutch and he has taken his very first steps (just this week!) completely independent of any support. I think each case needs to be reviewed specifically and individually. I was a bit aghast to read such an off the cuff dismissal.

He will attend a regular school in a regular class (which *is* a feat here in Switzerland, they tend to want to put CP kids in special education schools here). He will not need any help to do the overwhelming majority of his classroom activities. His cognitive ability is high and he is articulate even comparison to a "normal" four year old. What he will need is physiotherapy and possibly occupational therapy, hardly a "drain" I would say.

Currently my son's ONLY problems are mobility.

Thank you for your thoughts on the situation and sorry for the long winded-ness, I am thinking aloud. :confused:

[etoilech]

reading the question and the reply again, you said he was expected to be able to mobilise by himself using a crutch or cane ...

they've answered the question from the point of view of him NOT being able to mobilise - but you think he will and presumably a doctor specialist can back this up ... ?

so i'm wondering why have they said what they've said, when it might not apply to your case because you think your son will be able to be independent ...

sometimes its best to call them directly, instead of emailing because its too easy to just copy and paste an answer into an email without thinking about it.

as far as NZ having the same attitude, i don't know, but the medicals appear to be quite strict too.

I think you're right. I need to speak to someone personally. There are too many variables to outline through email.

In any case, if we do apply... I'll keep you guys updated. It's just distasteful to have your child be viewed as a burden. Any country that looks at its immigrants in terms of how they drain the country of resources rather than how they can help create a more dynamic country really makes me uncomfortable. I hope Stephen Hawking doesn't try to immigrate there.:D

[etoilech]

Thanks for the well wishes. :nice1

[incredible hulse]

Olivia - tried to send a pm on this with more info but you need to get to 5 posts (try replying to this ;) )

[etoilech]

Olivia - tried to send a pm on this with more info but you need to get to 5 posts (try replying to this ;) )

Ok. I am replying.:D

[RamblingPaddies]

yes you are quite right - everyone should be treated equally. the reason i suggested a phonecall is that sometimes in my experience (not related to NZIS - yet !) is that administrators who look at forms or initially answer questions tend to be separated from the core values of a system or country ... "do this applicant tick the boxes ... yes ? let them in ... no ? then hinder the application in some way" ... without really thinking between the lines

good luck and fair play to your brave son

[britzy]

I can empathise with how you are feeling, we have a child who will not meet the acceptable level of health and would definately be considered a burden on the country throughout her life,She will need a medical waiver.We have spent hours sole searching,researching and asking lots of questions.All the replies come back very similar saying no definate decision can be made until the whole picture can be assessed ,considering what we will bring into the country and what will needed to be put into our daughter,I think it hangs in the balance for us but despite this we are going for it.I think if you do lots of background research,speaking directly to people and have a good case anything is possible.Its such a shame you have to go through this,life really isnt easy at times .I wish you all the best and hope that the political red tape doesnt prevent you from following your dreams.
Helen

[britzy]

Correction, I meant soul searching not sole searching!!!!!!!!!!
Helen