Help! WORKING VISA - UK/overseas and medicals exams??
 

We've been wondering about this for quite some time and thinking about who we can turn to for advice. Duh, just realised I could turn to this forum lol, silly me.

My partner has MS, symptoms manageable (tingling), works fulltime. had one relapse 1 year after diagnosis. Diagnosed 4 years ago. He's on tysabri for 3 years now. Last MRI scan showed promising results, no new scars as from 4 years ago. He appears to be in remission.

We're both in our mid twenties. Its always been his dream to get a working visa to the UK or Europe, and have us live overseas for a few years. but my bf has MS. We mentioned our "dream" to his neurologist last year and he assumes that it will be difficult to even get tysabri treatment in say the UK (think he said wont be covered under pharmaceutical benefit scheme or medicare as he's not a citizen, and then may have to pay for the $1300 monthly medication ourselves but then need access to hospital staff for the transfusion, and apparently their healthcare is not as good as our's). ya da da da. basically no hope.

Also as some background, when my bf was changing jobs and unsure whether to declare his ms condition to a potential employer, this same neuro doc said he doesn't need to declare it IF it does not intefere with his work or safety of others in the workplace.

Anyway, we are in the early stages of considering moving overseas next year (through my work). My bf wants this to happen, he's excited at my job opportunity, and he wants a break from family and friends here in Australia. He's always wanted to travel. he doesn't want to let MS stop him from doing anything. If he turned around and said to me 'no I'm scared, I want to stay on medication', I would listen to him and we'd stay home. This is his choice given my job opportunity. And he's keen.:winky:

We're also trying to get a UK passport, but that's another complicated story :confused:

IF my bf cannot get tysabri overseas, we've discussed what would then happen, if he would like to stop tysabri altogether :eek: but of course he needs to look after his health in every other possible way (diet, quit smoking, quit alcohol) *sigh*. but that's another complicated story.

Also note we're covered by my company's health insurance while we're overseas, should anything happen (doctor, hospital visits).

Questions: assuming I get transferred overseas:

1. Can you get a working visa, given his MS condition?
2. To get a working visa, do you undergo a medical examination?
3. Can you just not declare your MS condition when getting a working visa, knowing that it may knock back your application?
4. What if you had say a UK passport thereby allowing entry into that country easier- could you still work in that country even if you have MS?
5. With a UK passport, can you get access to tysabri (and medicare) in the UK?

Thanks for listening to my questions, we're just a bit confused on WHO to ask, without jepordizing our potential visa/work applications. It feels so complicated. I really hope someone here has experience with working visas...

With a UK passport, it means you are at least a dual citizen, and are entitled to the NHS or national health services. The question is can you find an MD over there to write the script for Ty?

You do NOT have to declare MS before hand. and it should not prevent him from receiving his passport. Blind/disabled folks everyday get them, why not an MS guy.

As you said, IF you are going to be caught in the in between land, its best that HE start taking charge of his own health, from stopping smoking, and drinking to cleaning up his diet. Many have found once their assaults on their bodies stop they feel a thousand times better and walk away from the meds. Some stay on the meds anyway and pay cash for them if needed for that extra insurance. its a personal choice. Once you start removing all the chemicals, and additives from your diet, you will be amazed at how much changes. Your skin, hair, eyes, stamina, attitude, and energy level.

I have turned my grocery store into my pharmacy, and havent regretted a single minute of it. I feel a thousand times better eating organic, fresh whole foods than I ever did on Copaxone or Betaseron. but thats my story.

Getting into the UK with or without MS shouldnt be an issue as your b/f because its YOU they want, and you have made it clear that you are a package deal.

Have fun!

yes agree... I have tried teaching my bf the benefits of foods as our natural medicine. he's much better with diet than he was pre-MS. and he takes all his supplements I lay out for him lol. But he LOVES to smoke and drink when he socialises:mad:, its his way of dealing with stress and the only way he knows how to have a good time. I guess he feels he was too young when diagnosed and uses it as an excuse to live life now and worry later :(

anyway back to the visa issue, I think we might not declare it then when we go to apply... now to make him realise that giving up tysabri also means embracing a healthier lifestyle...I want him to realise this sooner rather than later