[TheNaylors]

hiya everyone,

I need to pick your brains...

My eldest daughter (who is 4) suffers with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and has weekly treatments of Methotrexate (low dosage though). We are hoping to make the move to NZ (EOI going in soon) but have yet to cross this bridge regarding our daughters health and wondered if there is anybody who has already emigrated that was in a similar situation (just to help ease our minds or forewarn us of any possible obstacles we may face). Her consultants are very happy with her and there is a strong possibilty that she could grow out of it and have a perfectly normal & active childhood, but will the fact that she is currently receiving medication for this have a bearing on our eligibilty? We are hoping that she can come off the medication in the next 12 months from what the consultant said last time (fingers crossed!). Therefore there may be a cross over in her needing some care over in NZ (albeit hopefully just aftercare!)

We have looked on the NZIS website and her condition is not covered on the list of conditions that may affect eligibilty, but has anyone had experience in this area?

Thanks in advance,
Jules & Eyan

[JandM]

No idea, but wishing you and her well on this one.

[Red Devil]

Sorry, can't help answer your question... but just wanted to wish your daughter the very best of luck with her treatment :yes

All the best :)

[nippa&pippa]

Can't help there but I hope shouldn't cause problems.
From our experiences as our children got multi-allergies & ezcema which need treatments & hospital visits but they should hopefully outgrown their allergies (finger crossed), NZIS knew about allergies and we got through without any problems.

[TheNaylors]

Thanks Nippa&Pippa, that's quite reassuring that immigration see that your children can grow out of their conditions, as this is the thing that is always reitterated about JIA:)

[migratory birds]

Her consultants are very happy with her and there is a strong possibilty that she could grow out of it and have a perfectly normal & active childhood, but will the fact that she is currently receiving medication for this have a bearing on our eligibilty? We are hoping that she can come off the medication in the next 12 months from what the consultant said last time (fingers crossed!).

I can tell you that NZIS looks at medical conditions on a case-by-case basis, referring the file over to their medical examiners for review. The only absolute denials are the ones listed on the website (HIV, kidney dialysis and perhaps another one or two).

Go ahead with all your medicals (if you've rec'd your ITA), submit the entire ITA and they'll direct you from there.

They will likely want a letter from her rheumatolgy specialists stating just what you stated in your original post. What they're looking for is a good long-term (for kids it's a 5 yr) prognosis without undue stress on the health system.

Keep us posted when you hear the outcome of their decision with regard to her condition. The question comes up periodically (NZIS's perspectives re: moderate to severe health conditions in kids of applicants) and keeping us posted will help others.