Brian, like you I am disabled and I fell in love online, too. Not only that, but I could not afford to come to the Philippines, I could however afford half of the costs. My Filipina girlfriend paid the other half, we had a joint-venture together not only for my travel tickets and hotel costs, but for all of my extended stays as well. I am very happy to hear your story and as amazed for you as I was for myself, because as unusual as it may seem, I lived the same thing. Sad to say, after eight months with my girlfriend together here in the Philippines, I lost her unexpectedly due to complications of her diabetes. But life goes on, and I can never forget how much she loved me, how much she gave of her money, time and especially her trust and her heart to take a chance on love with a guy like me. After her death, I learned that she had a handful of other suitors, each of whom was much more stable financially than me, and each of whom offered her good promise for their future together. But she chose me. I have a new girlfriend now, different from the first but just as lovely, and I'm moving on. Best wishes for your life with your new bride and family, I am very happy for you.

 

I'm having a look at today's headlines (you probably noticed by now Brian) re the government contemplating some welfare cutbacks. The disability pension was mentioned….you probably noticed that too. Not to worry, of course yours is legitimate and could not be contested (bloody oath they should consider they are lucky you're not into them for seven figures)….
Anyway, just in case things don't go your way if the government tightens the screws enough to make it impossible….Hell, bring her to Oz…Get her straight into TAFE (in the meantime your pension goes up of course)….Cert IV in Aged Care…she can do it in about a year, maybe 18 months…and she'll have a job at almost any aged care institution she wants. My wife did a uni degree in it - while working as a carer - then managed the same place….Then did a nursing degree….and is doing hospital work - most patients are old in her wards…..
Your wife does get that certificate - probably some work experience along the way - and she will be in demand…guaranteed. She'll also pull in shift allowances, weekend work, and holiday work…..My guess - $45 - 55k easily….If she goes on to nursing….gets her qualifications…..$60-70k…and maybe more…And that's todays dollars. My wife is a nurse - works four - five shifts a week and after tax and some voluntary super…brings home about $1400 a fortnight….
Just a plan B….but do believe me…Aged care institutions in Oz (nursing homes etc….) do love Filipinas. They have an immediate and rewarding connection with the inmates….Something about the Filipino culture and its respect for old people - that is long-gone in the West….Japan is snapping them up in their legions right now! That's because the Japanese are smart people!

 

Brian, Truly a wonderful story ! Thx for sharing it & after the challenges here that many of us have been through - the BEST reason to stay her is a loving lady with VALUES !

 

Brian, Glad you like Dgte....Enjoy your marriage!

 

OMG! That would be heart breaking to endure! :( I know I have been to Hell and back and have managed to bounce back from each fall in life, but losing Melinda, I could not bear to think. :( Melinda is my dream come true, I have wanted to marry an Asian Girl since I first saw Vietnamese Girls on the nightly News during the Vietnam War and heard stories about them at the time, even in Primary and High School I never met a Girl I never thought was a B*t*h! But lack of Asian Girls in Oz during my early years meant life just followed the path available to me, even if deep down I always felt that certain something missing from my life for what I truly desired, I just could not imagine life without Melinda and Meah now, even if it is only one hour online each day until I am finally back there living happily in our small Nipa Hut. :( Kudos to you for managing to deal with your loss, I know there would not be a day pass you do not think of her and what you both would be doing now if she was still here... Thank you for your kind words and best wishes

 

Thank you yes I did notice mate, and after chasing my tail with Centrelink... I just love being 3+ hours on hold only to be cut off multiple times and have to go through the entire process again listening to that *soothing Classical music* I phoned the International section back and this time got a Guy who actually knew his job, so I am waiting for the Forms in the mail now so I can start the process and apply to portal my Pension to the Philippines. He told me he could not tell me, but going by what I told him, I should be a show in to gaining approval, however he did stress to me that it was merely his opinion and his opinion would have no bearing on the final outcome of my case...

I do have some concerns; mainly my Medication, as he told me I would be on my own unable to buy my medication on concession if I lived abroad, and with some of the heavier Pain Killers I am on to deal with the pain from my broken leg and worn joints in my back, hips and knees, I have to wonder what is available in the Philippines as it took close to 10 years of trialling to strike a formula that worked for me...

'IF I cannot move to the Philippines', then Melinda is prepared to come here to live, but honestly, I want them both to retain their beautiful Filipina nature and culture, and after watching many wonderful and very happy/thankful Samoan's come to Australia for a better life for them and their children, only to watch their children stuck between two cultures growing up very angry with the world, many have ended up in gangs, and that is the LAST thing I would want for Meah when attending School here as she would have to attend the School closest to me which has the highest concentration of ethnic groups coming in from all over. My kids attended there, and in the end I did remove them in an attempt to quell the problems they experienced, but the only other School that would take them in was worse with a permanent Police Beat based at the School to try and stop the problems, sorry, but I would prefer to spend the extra money I save living there to gain a better education for Meah (and future bunso) as well as Teaching her English myself to further her job prospects to secure her a more stable future.

Thank you, I had expectations from what Melinda had told me regards them being so poor and how hard life is for them, but honestly I had no real idea and everything I experienced exceeded what was in my mind with how I may deal with life there... I was SO HAPPY there! I adapted so quickly, as life there is very similar to my childhood life growing up (albeit a little different in some ways) as my entire life I have been poor as a Rat mostly living in poverty, to which I did NOT feel while I was there with my two Girls by my side! I feel like the luckiest Man on earth and much richer for my experience having lived with Melinda in her Parents Nipa Hut. I can no longer imagine my life living in a modern house as I do here alone, my Home is now where my Heart is; with my two Girls and extended Family.

 

Australian Budget Cuts by Tony Abbott; the minion from Hades...

Well the Budget was read out tonight, I am waiting until tomorrow to let the bean counters post news of what is relevant in plain English so I know where I stand, then again phoned Centrelink back this coming Friday as I applied in February for my Pension Review and I am STILL waiting! I suspect they have been holding off so that I am not approved too early in the hope Abbott would cancel Payments to Pensioners abroad as mentioned earlier last week, still; *Fingers Crossed* as I am NOT backing down and will appeal as many times as I am allowed if they do knock me back!

I am SURE more than a few there are also holding their breath regards this b@st@rd and his Budget... :( I can only HOPE that no one abroad will be affected by this idiot! I am positive I have been seeing Government owned laser targeting lights bearing down upon me through the curtains lately with the postings I have been flying loose with on Facebook and other Forums over here regards this grub and his lot... hehe