Three years
 

I'm now a district councillor. That and other voluntary work, plus keeping an eye on my 91 year old mum, is keeping me busy. The area I'm living in is one of the poorest and most deprived in the UK, and certain to get poorer as a result of Brexit, so I feel I should do what I can.

My health is not good. I'm having problems with movement; the cause is unclear. So far I've been told I probably don't have Parkinson's, and I'll be having a brain scan in a couple of weeks to rule out a stroke, tumour, or hydrocephalus. I wish I could say warm things about the NHS, but I'm still waiting for an appointment for specialist physiotherapy which I started trying to access five months ago. The long waiting lists are very frustrating.

The OH is still teaching at Exeter uni, but he is having a year off to finish his next book.

My increasing disability meant I had to give up learning to drive. We exchanged the Fiat 500 for a Skoda Yeti which is much more practical but more expensive to run.

I don't find much time to post here now, but best wishes to you all.

Re: Three years
 

Thank you so much for stepping up and giving of your time and energy to try and make a difference. I am seeing the same thing happening over here as people (women in particular) realize that when we aren't actively involved we end up with Trump here and Brexit over there.

I'm sorry to hear about your health and hope it will turn out to be something that can be improved or at least not get worse. Very scary and frustrating I'm sure.

Sad to hear about the long wait times with the NHS. I liked the LibDems idea of a 1% tax to give it an immediate injection of cash. It such an amazing service and needs to be given the financial investment needed. It offers such value for money compared to something like the system over here in the US. I don't think the British really have any idea how awful the alternative is and how precious the NHS is.

I'm currently dithering about whether to come back. Brexit broke my heart but it has been encouraging to finally see some real push back after May's terrible performance in the election. Of course we have Trump over here doing untold damage but at least there is a limit to how long he can be President.

Thanks for the update, I love to hear how those who have moved back are getting on.

Re: Three years
 

At the moment I'd hesitate to advise anybody to move back, though obviously it depends from where. There is already damage to the economy from brexit and it can only get worse. Fortunately the election result makes it likely we will avoid the most destructive hard brexit. We are also a deeply divided country and God only knows where that will lead. The social and cultural damage from brexit may be as bad as the economic, or worse.

Re: Three years
 

We were pretty much set to move back last September and then Brexit happened. The damage it will cause to the UK economy combined with the general division in the country and rise in hate crimes were too much for us so we stayed put and hoped Hillary Clinton would be President only to be devastated by the election of Trump.

We are struggling to decide now whether to stay in the US or return to the UK so many factors to be considered. In recent months I have started to feel that not to return because of May and the Leave voters would be letting them win so in making our decision I'm trying to focus more on our own personal situation and not so much the bigger political climate in either country - which let's face it sucks in both places!

I do think that what you are doing is key to making a change, for too long we've left it to the white middle aged men to shape our laws etc. time for women to get in there and sort out the mess! I have always paid attention to politics, donated and voted but it's time to step up my game - just don't know whether it will be in the UK or the US.

Re: Three years
 

I think the above are talking crap.

There are 149 countries in the world. Twenty eight including the UK are current members of the EU. The rest are not. The other 121 are not all living in caves and eating grass. But of the 28 in the EU most are economic basket cases.

As for post brexit, look at it like this. Of the ten countries which have increased exports most to the EU, the U.K. is not one of them. In fact, exports to the EU have fallen year on year. At the same time, of those ten countries, six have no trade agreement.

Re: Three years
 

Wow, 3 years already. It's nice to see you taking an active part in your local area. This is something I think I would also do if/when we move to my home.

So sorry about your increasing health problems and the long wait. :fingerscrossed: you get things resolved soon.

Re: Three years
 

Thanks for the laugh!

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+1

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May is a woman or so I believe!

Re: Three years
 

She is indeed, but as one of only 208 women MPs I think my point holds up.

There are 650 MPs of which only 32% are female and even that low amount is actually a record high.

Here in the US only 19.1% of Representatives are female and only 21% of Senators are female.

Re: Three years
 

Editha, Firstly let me wish you all the best with your health problems and thank everyone for their posts as it relates to returning to the old sod. I left Devon in my mid 20's and have based my family here in the US (Alaska) for most of my working life but we have started to think of retirement and where that might be.
Aside from the political climate I am interested in hearing how you have found the general cost,conditions,housing and contentment after the move(not sure where in Canada you lived) As I said earlier I grew up in the west country so we are leaning toward that area albeit further south than Exeter towards Cornwall.

Re: Three years
 

Quantity rather than quality then!

And now, May, Foster, Davidson, Sturgeon...

Re: Three years
 

So sorry to hear of your worsening health, Editha. Wishing you a speedy resolution to your situation xx

Re: Three years
 

Cost: Cost of living was higher than we expected, but not a lot. More on petrol because we are using the car more, due to being in a relatively remote area.

More on healthcare too, which was a surprise. Dentist bills (not NHS), physiotherapy because I couldn't get any on NHS, chiropody which was partially covered by my insurance in Canada.

Housing. Well, we could afford a house mortgage free. But I do miss the space we had in Edmonton. I didn't think I would, but I do.

Contentment. That depends on so many factors doesn't it?

Re: Three years
 

Me too .
Also, good on you for positively contributing something into your local community.

Re: Three years
 

Me 3. My respect Editha as ever.

Re: Three years
 

I've now got a diagnosis of Parkinson's. I had to pay for it. Apart from seeing a consultant more quickly, by paying I was able to see a Parkinson's specialist, rather than any neurologist.

The neuro reckons I have a straightforward case, and meds will give me about 10 years with a reasonable quality of life. After that it will get more difficult.

I only got the diagnosis yesterday and I'm surprised to find myself feeling rather emotional about it today, because I've strongly suspected that I have Parkinson's for the last 2 years, so the diagnosis was expected.

Re: Three years
 

Edith,
It is completely natural to feel emotional, suspecting something is different to the reality of having it confirmed. It's a lot to take in, there is a grieving process as you come to terms with it. From what I know of you from BE I'm sure that as you adjust to the diagnosis you will figure out the best plan of treatment etc. to give you really good quality of life for as long as possible - you are a "do-er" Editha you have been dealt a blow but you aren't one to roll over there are still many good years ahead. Sending you love and hugs x

Re: Three years
 

I'm sorry to hear this Editha. I think we're roughly of an age but I'm 67 and my mother was diagnosed with Parkinsons when she was my present age.

She lived until just after her 91st birthday, and except for the last couple of years she managed pretty well. All the best for a long future.

Re: Three years
 

Thanks for that Novo. Just what I needed.

Re: Three years
 

Editha - my father had Parkinson's from his late 50s and until he died at the age of 83, he had led a full and busy life. The last three years were hard on him as he had to give up his hobby of photography, and stop driving. But that meant he had 30 years of living to the fullest before giving in. That's a long time. So don't you give up. I had no idea you were living near to Exeter - I am in Dawlish, the other side of Starcross. It's a beautiful area near the Exe and the English Channel - lots of wildlife, lots of birds. All the best.

Re: Three years
 

I'm actually living on the north Devon coast. Our nearest town is Bideford.

Thanks for the information about your dad. My own father only lived 5 years after diagnosis, but he was 78 when diagnosed.

Re: Three years
 

I used to live in Bideford when I was 19 - 20. I barely remember it - hills, and a river, and the costal area was very windy and wild.

Keep positive.