Relocation to Canada for Healthcare

Dearest Friends and Family,

My reaching out comes with a heavy heart and a very humble state of mind. I have come to a very difficult period in my life and I find myself without solutions to overcome some very difficult circumstances. A friend recommended "gofundme" so here I am.

I have worked in the call center industry since 1999, and have had a very rewarding career. My life took a complete turn in 2006 while on a business trip in the Philippines. I met a wonderful woman who is completely beautiful inside amd out. As part of our falling in love, I would also inherit 4 young girls who had lost their father to cancer in 2004. It was not difficult and I embraced all 5. Shorlty after I requested for a transfer to Manila to become a husband and father so I could take good care of them. The relocation request was approved amd I arrived in January of 2007. Since my arrival we have shared so many great memories, and my happiness has been beyond words. We also added two more children, another girl (8) and finally a boy (7). In addition we were blessed with 2 grandsons recently with another grandchild due in March of 2019. There is a lot of joy and we support and love each other endlessly. Life became great.

Then in November of 2016 things began to unwind with a series of events that has put me in a position where I am today, and in urgent need of help.
I become quite ill with symptoms of nausea, diarreah, light headedness, amd fatigue. One day while preparing for work I collaspsed on my bedroom floor, and needed to be rushed to the hospital where I was admitted. They had discovered that my nutrients were all dangerously low and I needed IV lines to bring them back to normal. After two weeks in the hoapital I became stable and an endoscopy was performed. It was determined that I had a stomach infection, maybe from bad food or bad water. Medicine was prescribed, and I was released. I was told by the doctor to stay on bed rest for the next 2 weeks. I returned to work and everything seemed fine however my next surprise was even more unexpected than the health scare. Our Human Resources department contacted me for a meeting to advise me that my role was determined to be redundant, and in 30 days they would be letting me go. I was devastated. I asked if it had anything to do with my missed time and offered to make it up, but they insisted that the two were not related. Up until now I have not been able to secure employment, and slowly my savings have been depleted, I have sold all my personal stuff to stay afloat, and assistance from my family in Canada has been exhausted. Providing support for 10 people even on the strictest of budget can be very costly.

Then in March 2017  I experienced another health scare when I suffered what felt like a mild stroke that was fairly serious where I was temporarily unable to move or speak or take in air. At the time I thought that it was the end. But a will deep inside me said no way, t's not time to go yet. I fought it and caught a small breath. I was transported to the hospital. After a series of tests throughout that day it was determined my blood count was very low, causing me to become weak amd blackout. It seemed more serious, but I accepted the diagnoses. I was given medication, and placed on a strict diet with more protein, and told to rest. After 3 weeks I felt better but really have not been the same since.

In May 2018 I finally received a job offer in the Philippines with fairly good compensation and benefits. The entire family felt immediate relief but then came yet another setback. Upon submitting my passport for renewal it was determined my Visitors Visa was expired. The Bureau of Immigration requested I leave the country immediately and be placed on their blacklist, meaning a lifetime ban from from entering the Philippines. I secured a lawyer in trust in June 2018 and after two motions for reconsideration and an appeal to the justice department, it is still pending. The potential employer really wanted to hire me, remained patient, were poised to cover my costs, but after 3 months they withdrew my offer and reposted the position. I lost the job opportunity and the coverage of my costs due to the Visa delays. I do take blame for not being better educated on the process but it was very deflating.

In August 2018 again my health took a bad turn again with all the same symptoms as the first time. It was determined once again my nutrients were low, and I went through the same treatment as before during 2 weeks of confinement. The doctors said there is a deeper problem  and recommended I see a specialist which without coverage here would be expensive, and we do not have the funds for that. They then suggested I return to Canada for my care given the severity and potential harm.

We are at a dead end in so many areas.

- Very unstable health with ongoing concerns of it having a severe impact on other vital organs, most notably my heart. My drop in nutrients does not seem to be corrected and requires a higher level of healthcare.

- The lack of financial support for my Philippines family is causing a lot of stress for me and is also not good for my health. It seems my salary band is high, and even despite trying to negotiate a lower rate, I am not getting opportunities to work in my field. 

- The uncertainty of my Visa status, the Bureau's penalties for its lapse, and my legal fees are outstanding, and I do not have the money to cover these costs. If I am deported, and do not pay my fines, I will go to jail until such time I do pay my fines. I am hopeful that does not happen. 

- I also do not have money to purchase an airline ticket to Canada.

Should I find a way back home, my brother in Canada has already opened up his home for me to stay until I can get back on my feet. He has committed to supporting me until my health is corrected, and I secure a good job to support my family again.

Thanks for listening. 

Regards,

Jim