UK to Canada: Beginning to End

• Tuesday 26 January 2010 - The medicals are done..........who knows what'll happen now

Today the fateful day had arrived and off we went for our medicals.  We went to the Orchard Medical Centre, Bristol - our family consisting of 2 adults, our 2 boys (aged 19 & 17), and our 2 daughters (aged 14 & 10). The medicals were pretty straight forward; we went in individually and for the physical examination we had to strip to our pants (bra removed for the females).  Us boys had to go beyond that briefly (lying on the bed) for a full testicular examination.  The Dr asked a load of questions about our medical history etc and all in all the exams took about 20 mins each. When it came to Amber, Julie and I went in with her.  The Dr did the standard exam and hadn't asked anything about learning delays etc.  She was half way through the physical checks etc when I highlighted the fact that as she hadn't asked us I thought I should tell her that Amber had Asperger's.  The Dr said those questions were coming later but to be honest I'm not convinced she was going to ask?  Anyway, we explained about Amber's problems and gave the Dr copies of Amber's statement, diagnosis and reports (S&L, Paed, Ed Psych, Senco etc).  I also included a personal letter addressed to the Immigration Officer explaining our predicament (you never know).  The Dr said we'd done the right thing and that it would help CiC make a decision.  The Dr said that she had no influence on CiC's decision and that she just reported the facts so I have no idea what she wrote of the med forms?  She did say that CiC had told her that they take the families' situation into consideration so I am hoping that because I have a job offer etc it may make a difference? We finished off by writing a cheque to the tune of £216 each for the 2 adults and 2 boys, plus £82 and £74 for the 2 girls (£1,020 in total). We left the centre and headed off to Cossham Hospital for the x-rays.  They were supposed to be £40 each, but we were offered a 'family discount' and they came to £150 all-in.  They must have felt sorry for me when I told them the hard luck story that I'd just spent £1,020 on the medicals lol.  The final tally came to £1,170 and it took about 4 hrs in total. All we can do now is sit back and wait (as usual).  I'm anticipating our medicals will get referred and will need to be sent to Ottawa for a full assessment.  From listening to others in a similar situation that could take at least 6-months or so.

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