US to Nanaimo
Hi,
I'm moving with my Partner (who is from Ontario) to Nanaimo from the Mountains of North Carolina. We plan to move to VI in Spring/Summer 2005. We are both HIV+ and legally married in Ontario.
I'm working with my Doc here in trying a drug Holiday to see how long I can stay off the drugs (and at the same time build up a drug supply). We are trying this so I can see if I can live in BC for awhile before needing Medication. So far, I'm doing good. I had PCP in 1997 along with an AIDS diagnois. But then I started the new meds and my viral load dropped to undetectable and CD4 shot up to over 700 and stayed that way till my drug Holiday started. My doctor thinks I'll continue to due well without the meds for awhile. :)
I'm doing home study to become a Home Inspector once I get to BC. I hope to work with someone who is already a Home Inspector there before going into business for myself, if that is possible. Anyway I'm looking forward to returning to work and living in BC. So if anyone knows a Gay or Gay friendly Home Inspector I'd love to be able to contact them if possible.
Also, I know you have to be a resident of BC for 3 months before you can get a BC Health Card, but would it be possible for me to get just my lab work and a doctor visit periodically to monitor my condition? I will be immigrating as my partner is going to sponsor me once I/we get up there. I could travel back to the US (washington state), but that's a lot of traveling and ferry fees!
Thanks,
Mark in North Carolina (soon to be a Canadian!!)
US to Nanaimo
Hi Mark in North Carolina!
Congratulations on becoming a Canadian and on your marriage ... my regards to your husband in Ontario!
I'm not sure how much information I can provide about the process of settling into BC without more information, and even then I'm not knowledgeable about the ins and outs of immigration. However, I do know that without Citizenship, Landed Immigrant status, or being on some kind of Visa (student visa for example)you are not eligible for public medical coverage. I'm guessing that you're already somewhere in the process of immigrating officially, as the legal partner of your husband. I would not want to see you in the position of being here as just a visitor and then find that you need to get back on meds and have no coverage!
I would love to hear about your experience around immigrating, marriage and becoming a Canadian, as I'm sure many on the site would!
I don't know the situation in the US, but across Canada, most doctors will prescribe an extended amount of anti-virals to carry a person through until their coverage kicks in when they move to another province. Also, just so you know to Canadian Citizens and Landed Immigrants who are residents of BC, HIV medication is covered by the government 100%. Once you are past your three month residency requirement, you can get set up with a GP and HIV specialist to monitor your health and get your blood-work done regularly.
Once you arrive in Nanaimo and get settled, I would recommend dropping by the AVI Nanaimo office and speaking with Claire or Dana, who can help you out with local resources. You can reach them at (250)753-2437.
Sorry I don't know anything about being a Home Inspector, but maybe someone else on the site can reply to that part with some information. Also, if anyone has more information to share with Mark about getting set up in BC, post your comments!
jim
Aegeanp
Nice site. Easy to use.
Mark in North Carolina
Hi Mark,
Would love to connect with you both when you arrive in Nanaimo. I am the Coordinator of Gay Men's Community Development. We have recently started a Gay Men's Discussion group in Nanaimo.
Soon I hope to have weekly coffee drop-in for gay men as well. In any event, please feel free to email me on your arrival. You can get me directly at rick.barnes@avi.org
Enjoy the move and Congrats on your Marriage!
Salut and In Pride
Rick
Thanks guys! :)
Thanks so much guys for sharing the information! My partner and I have gotten all the paperwork from Immigration. My doc here has me off the meds so I can build up a supply and also to see how well I do without them. So far my viral load has shot up quite high (I've been off now for 4 months). But my Doctor thinks the viral load this last time was high because I had a very bad head cold at the time of my last labs. I caught a bad head cold in Ontario at Christmas/New Years visit.
We are currently planning to wait until we get to BC before filing the immigration paperwork. I could travel over to Washington state if I need to for a few doctor visits until I get my landed status. From the paperwork we have it appears that once the paperwork is completed by us and we pay the fee I'll get landed status right away and while waiting to get an answer on full citizenship from the Immigration office. I plan to just say I'm visiting when I cross the border and then as soon as I'm there go to Immigration and file for landed status. I do need to get a passport here in the states before I leave however.
Rick, the support groups sound interesting. I've was active in the 'Older Guys' (30+) group here while it was going and I started and continue to moderate a Gay mens HIV/AIDS chat/support e-group on Yahoo groups, it's called AIDStired (listed in Health/Adult groups). The group is mostly for guys to share jokes, pics and general info. But the group also provides support to each other when needed. Our rule is no fighting among members, that's why I started the group in the beginning because the other HIV support e-groups tend to have a lot of fighting among members.
Anyway, I'm really looking forward to living on Vancouver Island and for my partner and I to get to meet and know you guys. If anyone wants to email me direct they can at: NC_Cavalier@highstream.net
Again, thanks guys!!
Mark