[Leccy-Lee]

Well the day had to come.

After the last set of "Extra" tests the Medical Assessor sent me for documented in my previous depressing posts he had to reply didn't he! What does he want now? Only a repeat of three previous tests which all came back as "Normal", and on top of that a specialist Cardiologist's report. All this after the last lot of $700 "Extra" tests and this after my own GP said "Other than your weight and a slightly but not bad cholesterol level they have not found anything significant wrong yet".

But still the damn Assessor seems intent on a personal crusade against large people! I stated last time that on principle firstly that i wasn't prepared to jump through anymore hoops for New Zealand's entertainment. And secondly i am already crippled financially with previous tests and fees amongst other things and simple cannot afford to be in Limbo any longer. I am on the verge of being Credit Black-Listed here in NZ as i havent been able to meet my loan payments. Reason being the bank gave me the loan on expectation of me having got either PR or my 12mth extension by now and had planned to spread the payments out as such at that time. As the PR or extension has not come still they expect me to pay back over $400 a week as my current visa runs out in 3.5 weeks. Thats about 2/3 of my income before rent etc! And i quote the bank "We can spread it out and help you financially when Immigration get you a longer permit, until then our hands are tied and we need those payments".

So for NZIS and there Assessor to calmly expect me to go and spend another $700 for there benefit (even though i dont have it anyhow) is just stupid sadly.

None of this is helped by my so-called Immigration Consultants who you would think costing thousands of dollars (paid by employer) would fight in my corner. But no they just forward the letter from Immigration and say they cant do anything until the Assessor has finished his decision.

So only one line of hope remains.........
I am drafting a letter to NZIS (bypassing consultants) asking that i need a min of a six month extension on my permit to be able to continue to immigration process, I mean where does offering me an extra six months for processing affect NZ's economy?

Else i am sitting here calculating how much money i can get for selling all my possessions on Trademe and scrape together enough cash for a flight home and out of this hole for ever!

And please for anyone wanting to say "The Assessor is only doing his job". How about two GPs think extra tests are crazy as theres no issues found..

Strangely right now i wont miss NZ at all, my dream of living here has been way ruined by the nonsense bureaucracy of this isolated land. I cant spend my life in limbo any longer, the sleepless nights, the not knowing if you will be here or there in a months time, its all too much. Either they give me some breathing space and a long temp permit else this is one skilled tradesman they wont be getting!

Funny that they claim to be "crying out" for skilled workers!
Seriously.. Anyone for a beer before i leave this place for good......

[Joolzr]

So sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I've heard that they just give some folk a really, really, hard time with it all and it sounds like you are one of them.


Good luck with whatever you do. You'll be missed on the forum.

Julie

[JoJo76]

I'm really sorry to hear that. Is there nothing the Immigration Consulants can do or advise you on what to do next?.

Hope something good happens for you soon.

[Leccy-Lee]

I'm really sorry to hear that. Is there nothing the Immigration Consulants can do or advise you on what to do next?.


They dont seem to be doing anything sadly. Thousands of $$$$ for forwarding letters, great job if you can get it. Although will see if i can get the Boss to go up there ranks tomorrow.

[JoJo76]

Good luck, hopefully he'll put some pressure on them.

Are you allowed to say which consultants your company used? We're about to sign up with one :eek:

[kags1694]

Hi Lee,

Have ou tried to able for a medical wavier?

[Leccy-Lee]

You cant try for a waiver, when they havent even made a decision yet i would imagine (correct me if i am wrong please).

[Jo Jo]

What a pain. The BMI rules stink, IMHO. Good luck, Lee.

[Moorf]

My Dad is being put through similar hoops by the Assessor in the UK - it's so distressing for us all. :mad:

Don't forget, though, it's not just your current health they are considering - they are also doing their sums, I think they have a limit of you costing the health service $24,000 over the next 4 (I think) years or whatever criteria they use... so.. despite there being no problems at the moment, I can only think perhaps they are trying to assess any future risks?

Have been through this numerous times in my own head re my Dad... :(

[dusk]

Bad news Lee. Hope you find a way through all this back to feeling good about life

[JayBee]

So sorry to read this...I'm surprised that the expensive consultants won't do anymore to support you as their client...

Best of luck.

[Mrs Pony]

aww I'm sorry that you are having such a hard time! I hope you are able to stay there in NZ. If not just remember that everything happens for a reason and you will get to where you are meant to be.

[Hippywench]

I'm sorry to see you're still going through this. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do, I would feel the same. Its upsetting to see this happen - I've been following your posts since I joined the forum last Autumn and have seen the efforts you've made to be able to stay.
I hope something positive happens soon, you deserve it.

[Chaz]

Hope your stuff gets sorted.

We are still in Limbo land - aweful!

Need to update my sig ...... but dont have the energy.

[LesleyS]

Sorry to hear that Lee.....It's been a rough couple of months for you hasn't it? It's worth one last try tho....

[mgbridges]

Oh Lee I feel so bad for you, my heart just sank when I saw the title of this thread. It all just seems so unfair!

Good luck and best wishes with whatever happens/you/MA decide.

Anneliese

[jubjub]

Lee, do you have any fight left? I wouldn't be surprised if you dont....

I cant remember if you have already done this, but have you tried making this political, getting onto the immigration minister and your local MP?

I think you are right about the medical waiver, you can only apply for one once a decision has been made.

[Leccy-Lee]

Lee, do you have any fight left? I wouldn't be surprised if you dont....

I cant remember if you have already done this, but have you tried making this political, getting onto the immigration minister and your local MP?

I think you are right about the medical waiver, you can only apply for one once a decision has been made.

I still have some fight left, but no finances. There pretty much making the decisions for me know. No i haven't tried politics, will it really do any good? I would love to speak to someone at Immigration but dont know where to start as everything is through my consultants.

Moorf, i totally appreciate that they are looking for long term possible problems, but when they ask you to redo tests that you've already passed? And ask for further reports on a heart that an ECG found nothing wrong with? Sounds to me like an Assessor "trying" to find a reason to deny me. Its like a policeman, they will always find something to pin on you if they want to, The medical assessor seems to be intent on finding something that will stick. He clearly has an problem with large people and wants to set an example.

Its crazy anyway, so if i "did" cost the health services $24000, better to have a skilled worker now contributing to the economy, that costs money, than all the out-of-work migrants from islands etc they let in. Where is the damn logic in there concepts..

[dilanium]

:(

[swissmissdesigner]

Lee, I wish you all the best !!!

Nota bene: Everything happens for a reason.

[Andy&Carol]

Lee, sorry to read this.

I know you've been an inspiration to many people on here - me included, and I sincerely hope it all works out for you.

All the best, Carole

[peebles16]

Oh Lee to say you must be gutted is a huge understatement and am so sorry to hear that immigration are making you jump through so many useless hoops :( There was a post on here am sure quite recently about someone who had got a local NZ MP on to their case am sure and it worked out for them so many worth a try - especially with election time looming :yes

I really do hope they make the right decision and give you the PR you so deserve

Take care
Karenx

[Chaz]

How much money do you need?

Paypal account?

Ill start with $100 if anyone cares to add / match .... just need to find a way to get the funds collected and to you.

[BkyMonster]

:(

So sorry to hear this after all you've been through.

[IanW99]

You cant try for a waiver, when they havent even made a decision yet i would imagine (correct me if i am wrong please).

Had a thought on this, someone else correct me if I'm wrong :)

If you don't have any additional tests, then NZIS are forced to make their decision based on the information that they currently have.

At this point then you could apply for a medical waiver and go and see your MP etc.

If you already have two GPs that say there aren't any significant issues then your case should be strong.

Ian

[irishliz]

So sorry to hear this

[Moorf]

Its crazy anyway, so if i "did" cost the health services $24000, better to have a skilled worker now contributing to the economy, that costs money, than all the out-of-work migrants from islands etc they let in. Where is the damn logic in there concepts..

Believe me, I go through this logic every single night just before I email my parents to see if the post has been... :( Not only have Dad's tests shown him to fit and healthy, but they have the $$ to support themselves here with no help for medical stuff etc and no mortgage - no drain on society at all - all they'll be doing contributing!! But no... still the requests for more tests keep coming...

Have you checked out the Medical Waiver cases that are online - from looking at them you can't believe some of the cases - some are barely alive it seems... :no

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

The best advice I've seen on this thread is about getting your boss to put a rocket up them.

After all, he has funded much of your costs and would be losing a (presumably) valuable worker, so it is clearly in his interests to do so. If an NZ employer is saying 'I need this man here' surely that has to hold plenty of water with them you would think.

It makes no sense when you are already here, contributing and a proven valuable employee.

Good luck anyway.

[cani]

Sorry to hear your tale of woe. You're a young man, would it help to point out to them that in the next ten-twenty years you'd be contributing more than enough to cover any eventual possibilities health-wise that may never occur anyway? Kristina

[Nienke]

Nothing much to add as to what has been said. I sincerely hope you find a way out of this.:(

[benandclare]

It beggars belief the hoops that good honest hard working folks have to jump through to gain PR.

Hang in there Lee

[kiwigirl]

Lee

Have a look at this website http://www.dol.govt.nz/contact/index.asp, immigration come under the Department of Labour, and with it being election year nobody wants any bad publicity as jobs are on the line, and that is inside info, maybe it would be worth filling in the complaints form, also take it to the papers and your local MP all publicity is good for you but not for them.

Good luck...........

[Carol]

Its crazy anyway, so if i "did" cost the health services $24000, better to have a skilled worker now contributing to the economy, that costs money, than all the out-of-work migrants from islands etc they let in. Where is the damn logic in there concepts..



I hate to say it Lee but this really hits the problem square on the head.

And while it isn't politically correct in the slightest - I actually dont care....I'm going to say it anyway - DO they get THEIR BMIs checked?
And how much will that cost the us and the rest of the country in the long run?


This makes me SO angry.
As if there are (decent) leccies standing on every street corner just waiting for work....

aaaaaaaaaarggggggghhhhhhhhh

[Jo Jo]

DO they get THEIR BMIs checked?


To apply under the Pacific Access category or the Samoan Quota Scheme, people have to have an acceptable offer of employment, and meet the same health and character requirements as everyone else.

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks all for kind words......

[Carol]

To apply under the Pacific Access category or the Samoan Quota Scheme, people have to have an acceptable offer of employment, and meet the same health and character requirements as everyone else.
good!

[Joolzr]

BMI issues apart, I feel the situation regarding pacific islanders is probably more complex than people appreciate. For example, it's probably a lot harder to get qualifications if your education system isn't as good as the UK/US.

Other problems in these areas, which encourage migration, are caused by other nations. We've all seen reports about some of these islands disappearing under water due to climate change. NZ's greenhouse gas emissions are the 11th highest in the world rankings (per person).

I'm sorry that some folk have a hard time with immigration but I don't find this kind of discussion of other ethnic groups helpful.

[urban78]

To apply under the Pacific Access category or the Samoan Quota Scheme, people have to have an acceptable offer of employment, and meet the same health and character requirements as everyone else.

Yep definitely. I posted something about this a while back but can't find the post.

My OH is of Samoan descent (their mum/dad came to NZ back in the 60s) and OH was born in NZ. A lot of people from OH's non immediate family's neighbouring village there have been declined due to health issues (namely kidney failure) and also non-sustainable job offers under sibling category (ie. salary not being higher than the threashold to support their family ect). Samoans are keen gossipers, that's how I found out, from the grapevine :o Many of the Samoans in Auckland are actually NZers, usually 2nd or 3rd generation ones, whose parents or grandparents migrated in the 60's.

I really hope you find a solution to your dilemma Lee, NZ needs good tradesmen and it would be a shame you wouldn't be considered, especially since you have been in employment here for a while.

Jen :)

[Carol]

Lee - you have my utmost sympathy.
*still very angry*!!!

Its such a shame that someone with the specific skills New Zealand needs is not offered assistance of some description either financial or otherwise.
Particularly when there are so many programmes of assistance out there.

It sounds like it is going to be New Zealand's loss I'm afraid......
I doubt you will get far with politicians at the moment .....

And yes it would be smashing to catch up with you over a beer to chew the fat..... so to speak....
;)


:cheers

Just out of interest, how does your employer feel about the whole situation?


By the way.... I find it equally irritating that a kiwi friend of mine (actually with a high BMI but there you have it) automatically gets herself a UK passport because her father happened to be born on Pitcairn Island 70 years ago.
Doesn't sit right with me somehow - and if that's not politically correct either then too bad. Sorry - off topic a bit - but there seems to be so many loopholes with immigration its not funny! Pity we couldn't find one for you somehow Lee.
Am happy to donate to the paypal account too btw!

[Leccy-Lee]

Thanks all, and Carol either way a drink is in order even if to drown sorrows.

Many of you have been in touch wanting to help, donations etc..
Although i have rejected the idea 2-3 times in the past as i have too much pride to accept charity to be fair. But i cant resist any longer. I cant promise as and when i could return any help or that it may or may-not help me stay in NZ either way but if anyone wanted details of paypal..

Once again many thanks for all the support, right now i have no exact plan. My boss is trying to get in touch with Consultants to see what is happening. Anyone know how i find out where to right to an MP or the Immigration Minister, yes it may do no good but it cant do any harm.

[Carol]

I cant promise as and when i could return any help .

haha


rent-a-leccy is born!

;)

[Moorf]

I'm sure there's a member of the press out there who'd love this story in an election year ;)

[Andy&Carol]

I'm sure there's a member of the press out there who'd love this story in an election year ;)

Totally agree. Fight on ... :clap

[jubjub]

Immigration Ministers.

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/immigration

Local MP's..

http://www.wellington.govt.nz/about/mayor/index.html

[jubjub]

I'm sure there's a member of the press out there who'd love this story in an election year ;)

Excellent idea.... :clap human interest story and all that...

[Moorf]

A few people have asked for links to the medical waivers that I mentioned above... Below is a link I use, some interesting reading but lots of jargon!

http://www.residencereviewboard.govt.nz

Search for "medical waiver" here http://www.residencereviewboard.govt.nz/srchres.aspx

[Hejwitch_uk]

I so hope this all works out Lee, it makes me sad that there is such a focus on size with regard to medical issues. There was a report on UK sky (via CNN) last night stating that USA have now found out that most overweight people are, in fact, fit and healthy....hope someone from NZIS saw it.

[Chaz]

Im not putting this in public to show off or anything - im putting this here so others can follow suit and hopefully match / increase whats being sent.

Lets put our money where our collective support 'mouths' are and help out here.

I know some of you have been in contact with Leccy Lee as you have sent me a PM etc and are sorting out payments in other ways. Excellent !!!

[JandM]

Keep fighting, Lee. The whole situation stinks - make the stink public.:nice1

[dusk]

Had a thought on this, someone else correct me if I'm wrong :)

If you don't have any additional tests, then NZIS are forced to make their decision based on the information that they currently have.

At this point then you could apply for a medical waiver and go and see your MP etc.

If you already have two GPs that say there aren't any significant issues then your case should be strong.

Ian
you may well be right Ian, certainly the communication from our CO when asking for additional information included a deadline, which if passed meant that the MA would base their decision on information they already had been provided with.

[mgf]

Keep fighting Lee....

[julius]

Hmmm, but this lack of information may have two side of the medal - they may assume you are hiding some facts and decide you don't meet health standards + you are not "good character".

Ofcourse this should not be the case, where you have already provided 2 GPs.
But appealing to the Board would anyhow make additional 700$ cost if I understand correctly, although there are many chances they would grant it.

Another side of making business with immigrants, maybe?

[Beeblebrox]

Lee

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, I came across this thread on another forum post #83 has some info which may be useful regarding line to take:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=550582&page=6

Cheers

Beeb

[Debbie]

TV1 and TV3 programs at 7pm both have sections for you to contribute stories. You can submit initial interest via their web links.
I don't know much about these programs except they are human interest based, ( I don't get to watch TV as putting kids to bed).
Debbie

[Familyofmonkeys]

Just caught up with this thread :uhoh

Really hope it all works out for you, some of the various suggestions people have given will bear some fruit and lead to and end of your limbo situation :)

[jubjub]

TV1 and TV3 programs at 7pm both have sections for you to contribute stories. You can submit initial interest via their web links.
I don't know much about these programs except they are human interest based, ( I don't get to watch TV as putting kids to bed).
Debbie

Ooh, good idea, Campbell Live or close up might well be interested... I have seen them do stories on immigration before..

[Leccy-Lee]

I am really touched by everyone's help. Thanks for support isn't a strong enough sentence but there it is!

Do you really think any media be interested really? I am all for it, no worries (although not sure fancy being on TV!) But the bulk of my problems have been a) Being unhealthily overweight b) being so skint i cant afford to get to stay here or even in the process. Wont they just think "Well its his own fault". I mean i sat down earlier trying to word a letter to MP but it just sounds so much like: "Hi, i am broke. i cant afford to pay back my bank loan before my visa runs out ($2000 in 3weeks!), they wont give me a new visa due to the medical nonsense , i cant afford the extra tests at the moment and frankly dont see why i should need anymore tests.."

You see? It doesn't sound like a good case? Maybe i am beating myself up here, but really if i wasnt overweight and i wasnt broke, then well...........Hmmm

[constablechuck]

Hey Lee, take a deep breath, all is not lost.

Here's my advice.

Call or visit the bank, tell them your situation again and finish by saying that they can either help you by allowing you to pay $50 per week until permit gets sorted, or you go back to the UK and they can eat the balance of the loan.

Then maybe since your boss has invested so much already he may be willing to fork out yet another $700, it seems like their milking you but there's no point in wasting all your efforts thus far over $700.

If all else fails you can recoup some of your money by overstaying your permit and letting NZIS pay your air fare home.

[jubjub]

Lee, write it from the perspective of your employer perhaps? He is going to lose a skilled employee, which he plainly does not want to do as he is forking out for the consultant... emphasise how much you would like to stay here and keep your job and keep paying taxes into the economy, then move onto the hoops you are being asked to jump through... always start with the positive and get them hooked! :)

[Leccy-Lee]

Call or visit the bank, tell them your situation again and finish by saying that they can either help you by allowing you to pay $50 per week until permit gets sorted, or you go back to the UK and they can eat the balance of the loan.

Thanks, but sadly i done that. Had 3 separate meetings in past two weeks with varying levels of Bank management. They all end up saying "Unless you are given a long visa the bank cannot help you, the bank has been bitten by non-residents before you see". Which is the irony as if they helped me, i could def stay and they would get there money back, but as they wont be helping me its likely i will head home to UK and then they will get "bitten" again as she puts it! They dont seem to understand helping me know is investing in there own money, whereas ignoring my plee just means they could end up with another un-paid debt.

Oh the irony!

[KerryS]

Lee, can we help you with writing to your MP, the media etc? I know the bones of your story, and am more than willing to help you pull it together into something that the media may be interested in.

[Pollyanna]

You cant try for a waiver, when they havent even made a decision yet i would imagine (correct me if i am wrong please).

You are right unfortunately. I tried my very best to get them to let me do a waiver when they were taking so much time on my application but they said it wasn't an option until they have sorted out every avenue.

Just keep badgering them, if you pester them enough (politely!) then you may make some progress, depending on your case officer.

Good luck with it all, just keep focusing on how good it will be when you come out the other side :exit

[irishliz]

bump

[jent]

This is going to seem even more politically incorrect, but Lee, surely the only way is to lose some weight. I have followed many of your posts and you seem like such a great guy that NZ are crazy to let you go, but you have to understand where I'm coming from. I have an autistic/ mentally handicapped child and we would love to live in NZ. Being a teacher married to a farmer and having two other highly intelligent children, there is near to nothing we can do to make NZ see our value as a family without them saying 'your child is a burden'. There is NOTHING we can do to change our child's intellect, but you have it within your power to change your situation. Come on Lee!! I am not trying to be mean, but have been waiting for someone on this forum to point out a rather obvious solution. Show them the 'middle finger' by losing the weight and changing your future.

[Grasshopper]

At last...a voice of reason and good old fashioned straight talking. We are in NZ....we had a huge "fight" to get here at a great cost both personally and financially....(involving the medical assessor et al) There are plenty of peeps who have had to fight a hell of a lot harder to get to NZ and follow the dream. The power to change is in your own hands. I'm with Jent!

[irishliz]

Sorry - I feel I have to stick up for Lee. And even though I can see where you are coming from Jent, the facts are that two doctors have said that he has passed the tests (at least that is my understanding and feel free to correct me). But more importantly Lee is already here and contributing - fully backed by his employer. In my humble opinion that is the difference for me. If Lee was still in the UK I might have a different opinion but he isn't.

[ourquest]

This is going to seem even more politically incorrect, but Lee, surely the only way is to lose some weight.

It is very hard to know if it is mine or anyone else's place to offer advice. But purely moral support for Lee (particularly from people who only have an internet presence in his life) is not ultimately going to make any difference to the outcome of his application and might actually be detrimental to his self esteem, particularly if it takes the form of sympathy .

Jent's point is very valid, partly in that it differentiates between those who have some control of their situations, and those who don't. If we accept that to have a high BMI is a less than ideal from a health point of view, then reasons to change it go far deeper than merely being accepted into our country of choice.

So this is a bit of a dilemma. If NZIS provide a waiver and Lee gets to stay, does this remove one of two big reasons for him to reduce his BMI? And if so, if we were to meet Lee in ten year's time would he have made any significant internal positive changes? A declined application (for example) might be just the hurdle Lee or anyone else needs to improve their own lot in life and so in a huge paradox I am not even sure Lee should be supporting a positive outcome of his application.

It can be easy to habitually think of each hurdle as a final deadline, and that if you don't make the deadline then beyond it there is no point in planning ahead any more (perhaps Lee looks back and imagines how his situation could have been different had he had a lifestyle change 18 months ago, for example). The time to make change in your life is always today, and by the time you reach the next hurdle you are always better prepared. And taking these type of decisions always gives the power back to yourself. This power is the middle finger which Jent refers to in his/her post.

[skibumwa]

Ladies and gents,

Point 1- I met Lee once face to face; he's a nice guy and is fun to be around. However I have to say NZIS and the Medical Assessors don't have any personal vendetta against Lee. They are professionals and (beating on a dead horse) are just doing their jobs. The only thing that sounds strange to me is why would they ask for him to repeat a test that came back with normal results? Perhaps they are worried these tests were 'false negatives'?

Point 2- Jent is correct so I will also be polically incorrect here and state the obvious. If you have TB or HIV, then sure you have a condition that you cannot do much about, but if you have a high BMI then yes that is in your control. Lee has been here longer than I have been here and I am sure it was possible for him to go on a super diet exercise regimend. Eg. My BMI was 31% when I arrived here in July 2007. I was told that if I did not get it down past 30% then my PR medical might have issues. So I took action; in less than 3 months while on my WTR Visa, I ate healthy, drank tons of H20 and exercised. So in the following 3 months I not only dropped my BMI from 31% to 28%, but I also lowered my cholesterol from Very High to Normal. My point here is that is takes hard work, willpower and dedication to get more fit and lower your BMI.

I reeeeeeally hope Lee can get to stay here, but I am also a realist with regards to rules and regulations. I'd like to personally wish him well.. with what ever he does or where ever he goes...

-John

[M-Squared]

Jolly good post, John. So ditto from me! :nice1 Apart from, I have yet to meet Lee, and would like to very much soon. :)

[Moorf]

I think there's been some great points made above, by all. I've been following people's reactions with interest because, as a family, we are all going through very similar emotions to Lee, the only difference is my Dad can't do anything to change his outcomes.

It's all too black and white when it comes down to Medical Ass's in my opinion (not it wasn't a typo), they seem to take a very narrow view of things.

What do I mean? Well, Lee can lose weight and can turn his lifestyle around, why isn't this being encouraged by NZIS as Lee is in the country and working and contributing - why not propose a course of action and a timescale.. then Lee loses the weight and stays or doesn't bother and is told to take a hike.

In the case of my father, why can't he commit to have comprehensive private medical insurance (hey, lodge if it with NZIS if they want the $ interest) and therefore won't be a burden on the health system SHOULD the need arise? Afterall, the final calculation comes down to whether you will cost NZ health service $25,000 over foreseeable future.

Hope you don't mind me saying the above, Lee, very conscious we're all wading in on what is a very stressful topic for you.

[Leccy-Lee]

Isnt live so simple for folks that are born with all the "perfect" faculties eh!

And by that i dont mean just size and weight etc, i also mean mindpower / personality and Will. Wouldn't it just be grand if we could all "just change" at will eh. Do you believe people with mental illness can just simply change to being fine, Split-personality people just saying "hell i think i will change today". Talk about rose tinted spectacles.......

And yes i do lose weight and have been since i got here (see below) but when one is fighting against ones own mind and willpower and its hard work then thats just a fact of life. I wonder what life must be like as a perfect person with a great strong willpower a natural personality eh, feel free to fill me in wont you?

Add to this recent stress and mild depression and changing your life gets harder!

And just for all you "for Christ sake just lose weight Lee" posters, ever thought about getting some facts or details before you curse and moan about someone you have simply no idea about! Nothing gets me madder than do-gooders that preach and lecture without even knowing if u had done anything about it! Do you know how damn ignorant and rude that is?

Just so i can give you some facts as you didn't bother checking first before you "judged me from your high and mighty pedestals". I 2-3 years ago was MASSIVELY large, i took counselling and hypnotherapy to try and get the mental strength to do something, i then 18ths BEFORE thinking about NZ started the Cambridge diet and managed to lose 6 Stone in weight before coming to NZ, the reason being i always knew my health would clearly be of benefit before trying to get NZ PR. Upon arriving in NZ i started again the same Diet and have "mostly" been on the diet since i have been here in NZ, but with stress and worry since being here i have only added another stone of lost weight sadly since being here. BUT i have been constantly dieting and exercising since 18mths before i even came here. Losing 7 stones and showing commitment to NZIS still clearly not enough, and it seems not enough for some you lot either!

So i suggest you do-gooders that seem to think you know me and the facts without even having ever spoke to me go find someone else to annoy thanks! I mean you could be awfully ugly but i dont know you and have never met you so i would never think of judging, but hell you go right ahead and judge me eh.....,

I have been on this forum for a couple of years or more, i honestly felt i had many many good friends here, but its amazing how complete strangers come out the woodwork to insult and preach to you when they didn't have the damn decency to check whether maybe i had possibly thought about doing something about it without needing you to explain it to me!

So this could be goodbye from the forum too then, as the rose-tinted ignorance shows.

[StevieD]

Lee, good luck pal, it isn't easy doing anything, like losing weight, recovering from drugs or alcoholism, that is a fact.

We wish you every bit of luck and will support you till the end. Hope there really is a happy ending in this one.

Steve and Jan

[Bruckner]

Ditto to what StevieD said. I'm pulling for you Lee!

Emily

[catt]

Don't you go anywhere Lecy!!!! We havent talked but i do understand totally about the weight thing........i have been big all my life and healthier than a lot of people i know who are "normal" sized.

We have as much if not more to offer than a lot of people because of it and you can get through this and come out the other side, hang on in there honey :yes

[mgbridges]

Thirded and fourthed by us!
Edit: Ok maybe thats fourthed and fifthed by us!

We're also both on the large size and appreciate how hard it is to loose the weight, well done you for all your efforts so far and I so hope that your MA sees sense.

Anneliese