Fish n Chips 56

Absolutly True, actually a Million people went medically bankrupt just a few years ago, most had Medical Insurance.

aes1

Hi Everyone!!

First, apologies for not having been on here in forever - and for not now trying to catch up with everybody's lives!!! It is impossible!!!! BUT, I think of you from time to time, always with fond thoughts, and I truly would love a short update (if that's possible!) on everything I have missed and am missing with my extended family here. So, please Trottytrue, who always seems to have a handle on things, can you post a brief summary for me???

Just a brief update from here in Malta. Weather has finally changed, just this week, now only about 16 by day, maybe a little less as this month goes on. Lows still nothing serious, and I haven't had to use any heat yet. Just as well, I only have one portable electric oil filled radiator! the Maltese don't do central heating in the main, so I am considering buying either a blowing fan heater or a halogen heater to put by my feet which ever room I am in. (Advice greatly appreciated!) No way can I heat the whole apartment - too big, rooms too big and floors all stone. May have to find a cheap Ryanair flight to somewhere and stay in a hotel if it gets really bad!!!!!

Moving on: have two new jobs, both freelance online. One as an EFL editor for an online EFL school based in London. The other as a ghost writer for a blog put out by an acupuncture doctor in Baltimore, US. Total hours per week (on my schedule) about 15/20. Both jobs a lot of fun, one detailed and focused, keeps me on my toes; and the other creative and a subject I am passionate about (oriental medicine). How did I find them??? Online!!!!

Question related to the above: those who still have a bank account in the US but now live in the UK - what address do you give the bank?

Socially: Life is still an adventure every day here. And I am still in love with Malta!!! So who is coming over to visit me?????

To end: Commiserations to all those who have had some trauma lately; congratulations to all those who have received good news; and to everyone of us brave enough to come on this site and think of/dream of/plan/embark on/endure/progress with/accomplish this grand adventure and new chapter in our lives, regardless of age, health or financial means. A huge pat on the back for everyone of us!! Merry Christmas - and where is the smiley face with the Santa Claus hat on???!!!! I leave you with Mr Bean.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0m_o2gxbsU

sallysimmons

Oh that I know. I don't have any rose-colored specs on about England - especially not having visited regularly. I've lived in Canada, the UK and the US and they all had homeless people. The US just has more and for very different reasons. It's hard to fully understand unless you live here. America really is very different from any other Western nation.

It blows my mind to think now that when I moved here from Canada, I just assumed the US had national health care - I thought every civilized country did. Guess I should have done more research!

sallysimmons

Maybe it's just that Brits have more of a love of history. My husband and I watch tons of British history shows and we're very happy in the present. We're not yearning to move back in time - just eager to understand the past.

Besides friends and family, history is the thing I miss the most about Britain.

Dunrovin, I just think a stretched safety net is still better than none. My family have had two recent life-saving experiences with the NHS and my gran, who has Alzheimers, receives the most amazing home care. Yes, she has to pay towards it, but only what she can afford. Now to cap it all, my best friend's mum was diagnosed with cancer, got surgery in less than 2 weeks, and was pronounced all clear because they had caught it early enough and it hadn't spread. Of course there are problems and stretched resources - there are here too, as you know. But none of my family has money and they all received excellent care. That counts for a lot.

As far as why people are returning, a good friend of mine once said 'always make sure you are running towards something, not running away from something.' I think that's very good advice when thinking about a move.

islandwoman120

When I first moved to the USA - late 1980s - I had medical insurance through my employers. And in the next ten years or so, whenever I changed employers, I was again insured within 3 months. Then I moved to Wisconsin for medical reasons, and life changed. There was less work, lower pay, and no employer based insurance coverage. Because I had a small child, I was able to receive state medical coverage up until my son was 19. Then I was out on my ear with no coverage. And it stayed that way until I left - sporadic coverage at best, sometimes unaffordable premiums. In northern Wisconsin and Duluth, MN there is a community clinic, which treats people based on a sliding scale. I had to resort to that for my own needs in the mid 2000s, and just before I left the USA in September, I went back to that area as I could guarantee medical care. I had been all the way down in Florida taking care of my 93 year old mother, and could not access the care there for myself, so ended up making a 2000 mile trip up north and staying for 2 months before leaving for the UK. How convoluted can life get. Now that there is a REAL ID law in the USA, you can only access services in the state in which you are a registered citizen, and fortunately I had retained my MN citizenship and drivers license. I have not yet used medical care here in the UK, but I will register with a medical clinic once I am settled in Frome. If you have not had to live in the USA, you have only an intellectual knowledge of the fear in most people, based on the lack of medical coverage. Anyone living in a country with socialised medical care has to live like I did, and like sally still does, to truly understand the precarious existence of many US citizens. Rosie

Celticspirit

Very cute doggies. Will you get another one when you get back to the UK?

Gabgoeshome

Totally agree with this

There is also the fear that no matter how much wealth you have ($ wise) it could all be lost in a heartbeat

I feel one could work very hard ,for many years, and have it all gobbled up in an instance .

I was talking to a local lady in my town ,she comes from an average family income .
Last year the doctor thought she had a spot /bleed on her brain ... she HAD insurance ....it did not cover the cost of the examinations etc ...she is debt $40,000 and must now go bankrupt .

Englishmum

It's not just the homeless people either.

It blows my mind that there are soup kitchens and food pantries for the poor (including the working poor). Most recipients do have accommodation, but they are hungry.

There are constant appeals for donations for canned and package food from churches, synagogues and charities; even our local town hall has a box to leave donated food items.

At this time of year requests go out to schools and at sporting events to take in some groceries to pass on to the food bank of New Jersey (and they presumably have community food banks in every State?). Even at the supermarket tills you can pay for food vouchers eg. $1, $3 or $5 denominations for the food bank:

http://www.njfoodbank.org/

http://www.nj.com/insidejersey/index...ger_in_ne.html (This is a shocking read - also see the first comment below the report!)

I'm not aware of any 'food banks' in the UK to give food to the poor. The only food donations I'm aware of are when it's the Harvest Festivals in the Autumn, where schools and churches pass on donated items to the elderly.

islandwoman120

There is an article about Food Banks in the UK in today's issue of The Independent. I will research this and post later today. Rosie

callé

In Alsager. Its not far from Sandbach, or Crewe, or Talke. I LOVE this little town. not much more than a village really.

callé

Hi Windsong, Yes they have an adjustment. The big thing mine missed were all the lizards. They love all the walk paths. They also love that they dont have to be drowned in flea meds like in Florida. The dog food is good. they have the major brands; Eukanuba, hills, purina...also James well beloved is really good. An inexpensive one that is surprisingly one of the best is Chappy. Vets recommend it. Its tried and true. My dogs love it. it has all they need and all food shops carry it. I mix it with fresh chicken and veg though. Just cause mine are spoilt and also because one is a little "heavy" . the vet says green beans or carrots are a good add in. No calories and plenty of nutrition.
same for cats, good name food like Eukanuba and Iams and purina. My cat eats Purina 1 for dry food and felix pouches for wet.

callé

oooh! If you come to Alsager or close by, we could meet up!! Its a lovely town. Small, but has all you need. We recently had our town lighting and its always brilliant! stalls and market and live music and Christams lights. All the little shops open and give out free mulled wine, or bucks fizz and mince pies. ummm. We have regular coffee mornings and every so often an auction in the community centre. We have our own little train station with really quick and easy commute to Manchester, Birmingham and not far drive to city centre, Hanley or Chester. Cheshire Oaks is a really good outlet mall with loads of good shops. I prob shouldnt say this but we never even lock our doors! We have brilliant neighbours and not much crime here at all.

dunroving

Another good dog food here is Burns. Suzy is pretty intolerant to a lot of foods (stuff like Bakers is the canine equivalent of Kentucky Fried Chicken, anyway), and although Wellbeloved was fine for her digestive system, she clearly didn't like it (believe it or not, she's not a picky eater, nor is she spoiled). I recently changed her to Burns Fish & Rice and she loves it, and it seems to be very kind on her GI system.

callé

Yes! and fish and rice are excellent for joint health!!

Fish n Chips 56

Thats it Rosie, Tell it like it is...

Id love to know why Americans are crazy about giving kids state medical insurance, It just blows my mind, Everything for the kids, what about the adults, they are the tax payers in this country, once those kids reach legal age they are out of luck, I just cant see why taking care of adults isnt as important as the kids, if adults are too sick to work they cant contribute.