Our London Marathon

[AFQuaid 18]

So the story begins after very little sleep and an early rise of 4am. The transport I had booked (as you may remember train option didn't work out) was actually a private ambulance was spot on at arriving at 5am. Everything started out really well, we had everything and I clinged to my folder as if my life depended on it, as it does.

It took us from 5am-8am to begin to "near" London and you could tell you were nearing it even if you were 60+ miles off because the traffic oh my god. Hooking horns, police on motorcycles it was madness! Then to make things worse as we start moving again we hit roadworks, then traffic, then more roadworks, then more traffic. It was so bad we didn't get anywhere near to finding the Embassy till 9:30. It became a case of the two paramedics with me hopping out of the ambulance every few streets asking random Londoners where the flippin' building was. Oddly most Londoners don't seem to know much about where any buildings are. They asked 6 people before asking a policeman and by that time it was 10am. My appointment time, fear going through me thinking the worse. Maybe they won't let me in? It's too late! They aren't gonna let us off with "we were stuck in traffic."

We eventually found the building but nowhere to park that wasn't streets away. Guards were glaring at our dilemma as they stood beside the two lines of people gawping at the commotion. Eventually they parked the ambulance across the street and a paramedic hopped out to go talk with the guard. He came running back saying they need to see the appointment letter and passports of myself and mum (who was going in with me to help physically). They gave the ok and allowed the paramedics to offload me. We headed towards the two lines of people and the guard checked our passports again and my appointment letter and got on his walkie-talkie to inside the Embassy sayin' they need somebody to come down for assistance with getting me inside. There were steps at the main enterance. We only waited about 5 minutes then another officer showed us round the back into a big garage thing with crates. Accidently my wheelchair skidded on the sandy ground and the guy got a clipped ankle . He didn't mind though. He showed me into a lift and we went unstairs into the visa department, thats after mum was asked if the bottle of lavender cooling water in her handbag was a weapon! He actually asked her to test it on her and he said ok he believes its a perfume thing.

He told us then to get a ticket from the nice lady at the far end and we got number 015! and was told we'd be seen at window 1. So we sat near there as instructed. For 3 hours the screen flashed and spoke it seemed like millions of 200 numbers and then 300s then the occasional "8" then repeated numbers and "last calls." In which time we saw some poor man collapse as he got himself a ticket (I'm guessing from anxiety) but he had to be helped up and everybody gasped. We sat, we twiddled our thumbs, the guy that was running the nice little sandwich and drink counter at the back of the room offered to help me buy something to pass the time. That was nice of him. I passed him up on the offer because it was quite early on but eventually I asked mum to grab us some food and drink.

Finally my number was called to window 14! which was round the little corridor. A business type gentleman was there and he asked for my passport photos (2), birth certificate - copy and origional and police report - copy and origional. He checked em then got me to sign some forms then gave me the origionals back.After a minute of him typing on the computer he did my fingerprints then told me to go to window 15 next door. Where I was met by the most nicest american lady who had a beaming smile on her face. She asked me for the Affidavit of support forms and visa fee slip, checked them. Said everything looked great and asked me to raise my right hand and swear everything I'm about to say is the truth. And of course I did. She asked me:

How me and Andy met

What website was it or where on the internet

What do you have in common

How do you plan to support yourself finationally

Do you have a carer lined up

She spent a second looking up our file and made some jokes i.e "Oh boy, Andrew sure wanted us to know you guys had met from the RFE" and "Yep, he is certain he wants to marry this woman" she chuckled. Then she said all looks great and

"I'm Happy To Issue You Your Visa" *BIG RED APPROVED STAMPPED DOWN*

She explained to me again 6 months to enter the US, 90 days to marry on entry. Then about sending the marriage certificate to homeland security. And that she generally wishes us all the best. Pending my medical results my visa will be issued in 1-2 weeks.

I get given a pink courier form. I was the ONLY person with a PINK one everybody had BLUE, I realised that maybe they were all on a totally different visa. Anyway I couldn't get to the desk so mum had to take the filled out form up with the money. All went fine.

Then another guard was actually waiting to take me out and my folder slid off my land and down the ramp of the garage like door they took me out of. Poor guy had to chase it before the papers fell out.

After that the ambulance picked us up again and dad (who had gone to sit in a cafe) but actually ended up chatting to a guy who was waiting for a relative outside. Dad was on about that his friend had a conviction and he'd been in the building since 9am and still hadn't come out, I'd been in since 10:20am and got out at 2:20pm. We wondered what had happened to the poor fellow all the way to the medical center.

I had an appointment at the Alliance Medical Center which isn't too far from the Embassy and was found pretty easily. Dad went inside to ask about wheelchair access and a nice lady showed us round the back where she put down a ramp. Got in fine and she told me to go up the level 2 in the lift and sit in the waiting room. So we did.

The lady from behind the desk brought me a clipboard with another questionaire on it, similar to the one provided in packet three but seems to also have doctors imput section. She asked for a passport photo and documents (pkt 3 questionaire and all my supporting doctors letters and factsheet on my illness i handed over lol). Then the questionaire after I'd finished. She handed them to the doctor who came out his room briefly and she asked me to go change into a gown in the toilet so I did and came back out into the waiting room. The doctor called me in and went over all the stuff I just gave him and seemed very pleased that I'd thought the appointment through. He told me many people go there with pre existing conditions and dont bring doctors support letters even if its just asthma. He says it really helps if you do! So thats some good advice for those here on VJ! He tested my vision and felt my stomach. Took my blood to test for HIV and sent me back out into the waiting area. Then I was called in by a lady checking my vaccination records, the ONLY one I had missed was the Heppititus (sp?) B in which according to her I just need the first dose to complete the approval and I can have the 2 others when in the States. Other than that she was happy, gave me a letter for my GP to let me get it done on the NHS and then hes to fax the alliance medical center and they'll tell the embassy. I was called into the x-ray room and that was simple in and out and back into the doctors room again where he asked a few questions about my care and who would do that etc. I found it actually pretty hard to understand his accent. But he was very jokey and friendly. He listened to my heart too that was very fast he said and asked if I was nervous. Obviously... Then that was that. He thanked me and wrote up his report, read it to me. Was correct and left me to go get dressed again and I payed the lady at the desk and all done.

I actually just got back an hour and a half ago. I'm totally beat.

Fiona

P.S Andrew and I are completely overjoyed.

[rebelheart 0]

CONGRATULATIONS FIONA!!!!!!

wishing for your visa soon, so u and andrew be together already.

- rebelheart

[gimygirl 0]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so when do you make your way to america!?!?

[aussiewench 9]

Congratulations and well done Wont be long now and you can finally reunited in the US

[gwenneh 7]

CONGRATS!

[LaL 418]

wow! great news. Congrats Fiona!

[AFQuaid 18]

I can't say in word's how happy I am but am glad it's for sure my girls on her way HOME, heh an I wont be macho I cried in happiness near an hour after hearing this

=/\=Andrew=/\=

[cheeky^Wolf 0]

Congratulations!! Aww I have tears in my eyes for you both

[meauxna 15]

Congratulations Missus! That is FANtastic news!!!! You are an absolute hero to get through this---what a day!

Andrew, buy the girl a Starbux, wontcha?

Big ups to you Fiona, our little trailblazer!!!

[rebeccajo 14]

*gives Fi a hug*

Andy, that's one hell of a woman you've got there.

I'd been watching for this all day. I'm going to ring my mom, who's in a wheelchair herself, and tell her she can read your story on VJ. She asks about you often.

Congratulations!

Edited August 10, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Ladylethal 12]

yay for happy endings!!! Congratulations my dears! Luis is also overjoyed and sends his best wishes as he too, was following your history.

[dirtyd301 0]

Congratulations and enjoy your long awaited reunion!!!!!

Diana

[gym 0]

Oh i am so very very happy for you both...Congratulations

[munchkins 0]

Wonderful news Fiona, so very very glad for you and Andrew, hope it is not too long before you are back together again. Good Luck for your new life in the states

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

WOO HOO! Congratulations!!!!!!!!