Health Check

[riss 12]

I've just been looking up information on the required health check, and I'm wondering if this might end up being a problem for me. I noticed that in the information page about it on VJ, a number of times the point came up that the medical officers will be looking at whether the health problem in question may prevent the person from working, thereby causing them to need to be financially supported.

I'm generally physically functional. But I've had a bunch of problems with fatigue and chronic pain over the last 10 years or so and I haven't worked for that entire time. I manage to live what feels like a relatively normal life, but I sort of do things at a pace that would be more normal for a healthy 70-year-old, lol. I sleep a lot, only exercise gently, and I live a pretty quiet life without too much activity. I can still do a lot of things, I go out with friends and have fun, I handle all the paperwork and finances for the household, I do most of the light household tasks and cooking, but I haven't felt up to taking on a regular job due to the fact that if I overexert myself or strain something physically, it can take a long time to recover and I've found myself able to make a better contribution when I can do things in my own time and rest when I need to. Now I'm hoping to work towards freelance writing as a possible way of earning a living, since that would allow me to do things at my own pace.

Another limiting factor for me is that a few years ago, I lost my voice for two years. Well, I didn't exactly lose my voice, I had a kind of chronic laryngitis/throat pain that made talking so painful that I didn't do much of it. It improved last year and I had about 9 months with almost normal function, but in the last week it has returned and I'm back to only minimal talking again. I don't know how long it will last. This is probably the biggest factor that would make working difficult!

So now I'm wondering if all this is likely to preclude me from being able to pass the health tests, since the ability to work seems to be an important consideration... Does anyone have advice or experience with this?

Thank you in advance,

Riss

Edited December 22, 2011 by riss

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

I don't think it will be a problem in your case, but it depends somewhat on the embassy. Where there may be an issue, since you have chronic health issues, is that they may require you to show you will have health insurance to cover those pre-existing conditions once you move to the USA.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

If you have a well qualified sponsor then your ability to work will not likely be a problem unless they conclude that you're likely to need long term institutionalization. They're less interested in whether you can work and more interested in whether the taxpayers are going to end up supporting you.

[Kajikit 65]

It's not a problem as long as your partner has the ability to financially support you and your special needs, and you don't have anything contagious. If the doctor who does your health check has any concerns, you'll need to get a clearance letter from your medical specialist/s to say that you're physically up to immigrating, and possibly extra documentation from your partner to prove that they're prepared to support you. (I was on disability before we got married... I had to get a letter from my shrink, and at my interview they wanted to know what we'd planned to do if I had any further problems after I got to the US. Then they gave me a conditional clearance, and I had to have a follow-up medical exam in the US before I adjusted status. But that was REALLY perfunctory!) It sounds like you've got CFS. That's not a barrable medical condition, so try not to get paranoid.

[riss 12]

Thanks so much for your replies, Penguin, Jim & Kajikit. That's really put my mind at ease. I got a bit worried for a while there but it sounds like everything should be fine. I'm sure we could show that we'll be able to manage financially, and my health stuff certainly isn't contagious. Goody. That's one more thing sorted!

Riss

Edited January 4, 2012 by riss

[riss 12]

oops! double posted.

Edited January 4, 2012 by riss

[Kajikit 65]

Good luck Riss! Which part of Australia are you from?