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Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome
Posted by CFTeen
CFTeen
Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
WARNING: Picture of fugly kid included.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24578829-661,00.html
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A MIGRANT doctor and his family are being forced to leave Australia, and the Victorian town that desperately needs him, because his son has Down syndrome.
Dr Bernhard Moeller answered a call from the Federal Government and the Horsham community two years ago, and moved from Germany to become the town's only permanent specialist physician.
But the Department of Immigration and Citizenship this week rejected an application from Dr Moeller and his family for permanent residency because his 13-year-old son, Lukas, has Down syndrome and does not fit the bureaucracy's health criteria.
On advice from a government doctor, the department wrote to Dr Moeller saying his son had been assessed as a burden on Australian taxpayers and could not be granted permanent residency.
A copy of the decision said care for Lukas was "likely to result in significant costs to the Australian community in health care and community services".
Angry? Send Immigation Minister Chris Evans an email about this decision.
But Dr Moeller said his son would always be cared for by family and his needs at school were not prohibitive. "I have the means to look after him and I will look after him," he said.
Horsham, with a population of 20,000, is enraged at the prospect of losing its only internal medicine specialist and residents rallied outside Dr Moeller's practice yesterday, demanding the decision be overturned.
As well as his private practice, Dr Moeller fills a key role at the Wimmera Base Hospital, which serves 50,000 people in the region.
"We are desperate for doctors in the country and the Government says we must get skilled labour from overseas," said Business Horsham's Andrea Cross.
"The decision to reject residency is crazy. He has a disabled child but we've got great support for him here."
Dr Moeller said he was hurt by the rejection, but thanked the community for its support.
"We feel rejected, not welcome any more, by the Australian Government," Dr Moeller said.
"But we've had huge support here in the community."
Dr Moeller is in Australia on a 457 temporary working visa that expires in 2010.
He and his family searched for the best place to raise a family and his wife, Isabella, said Australia was the preferred choice because of the support it offered disabled children.
Lukas attends a mainstream primary school and has an integration aide and speech therapy.
He plays football, cricket, golf and table tennis, and his parents say he has no difficulties coping.
Ms Moeller said Down syndrome was graded from zero to 100, with zero representing a fully dependent sufferer and 100 the mildest affliction. Lukas was rated close to 100.
"It's the worst thing that's happened to me – worse even than when they told me Lukas had Down syndrome," she said.
"We fought for years against discrimination in Germany against Lukas.
"We wanted to make sure he got the best quality of life, and when we looked all over the world we decided Australia was the right place to live.
"We came to Australia in April 2006 on a temporary residency visa, and we told everybody then we wanted to stay in Australia as permanent residents, but they didn't mention anything like this even possibly happening.
"Now we have to start fighting all over again against discrimination."
Down Syndrome Victoria yesterday slammed the Federal Government's decision.
"This decision is disgraceful and discriminatory," Down Syndrome Victoria executive officer Catherine McAlpine said.
"The department are not looking at Lukas as an individual or seeing his potential.
"Instead, they are making assumptions based on their outmoded understanding of intellectual disability."
Ms McAlpine said the case was one of a number where people with Down syndrome were refused residency automatically because they were judged to be a drain on Australian resources.
"It is outrageous that in the same year the Australian Government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, it is effectively stripping this young man of his human rights," Ms McAlpine said.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans's office referred questions regarding the Moeller case to his department.
A departmental spokesman said officials were legally bound to reject an application if a Commonwealth medical officer deemed the applicant posed a significant cost burden.
"It is long-standing government policy that high-cost medical conditions are a consideration in visa decisions," the spokesman said, adding that the family could appeal against the decision to the Migration Review Tribunal and, failing that, to the minister.
Dr Moeller said the family would appeal.
Horsham hospital Wimmera Health Group chief executive Chris Scott said he was very disappointed at the decision to refuse Dr Moeller's family permanent residency.
Mr Scott said Dr Moeller's was the only permanent position at the hospital, and two other vacancies were unfilled.
"We recruited him specifically from Germany," Mr Scott said.
"We think it's very disappointing that such a decision can be made when rural Victoria is crying out for senior medical appointments."
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This might just be the beginning of something BIG here, besides the uproar the Aussie government's decision will generate. A sovereign nation has rejected a qualified person because of his mutant* kid. If they make it stick there could be precedent...and I don't think I have to tell you all what that might mean!
The only questions are-
Can they stand firm and stick to their decision?
Will this be unfairly extended to the elderly, those injured in accidents, etc?
*Down's Syndrome = genetic mutation.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24578829-661,00.html
-----
A MIGRANT doctor and his family are being forced to leave Australia, and the Victorian town that desperately needs him, because his son has Down syndrome.
Dr Bernhard Moeller answered a call from the Federal Government and the Horsham community two years ago, and moved from Germany to become the town's only permanent specialist physician.
But the Department of Immigration and Citizenship this week rejected an application from Dr Moeller and his family for permanent residency because his 13-year-old son, Lukas, has Down syndrome and does not fit the bureaucracy's health criteria.
On advice from a government doctor, the department wrote to Dr Moeller saying his son had been assessed as a burden on Australian taxpayers and could not be granted permanent residency.
A copy of the decision said care for Lukas was "likely to result in significant costs to the Australian community in health care and community services".
Angry? Send Immigation Minister Chris Evans an email about this decision.
But Dr Moeller said his son would always be cared for by family and his needs at school were not prohibitive. "I have the means to look after him and I will look after him," he said.
Horsham, with a population of 20,000, is enraged at the prospect of losing its only internal medicine specialist and residents rallied outside Dr Moeller's practice yesterday, demanding the decision be overturned.
As well as his private practice, Dr Moeller fills a key role at the Wimmera Base Hospital, which serves 50,000 people in the region.
"We are desperate for doctors in the country and the Government says we must get skilled labour from overseas," said Business Horsham's Andrea Cross.
"The decision to reject residency is crazy. He has a disabled child but we've got great support for him here."
Dr Moeller said he was hurt by the rejection, but thanked the community for its support.
"We feel rejected, not welcome any more, by the Australian Government," Dr Moeller said.
"But we've had huge support here in the community."
Dr Moeller is in Australia on a 457 temporary working visa that expires in 2010.
He and his family searched for the best place to raise a family and his wife, Isabella, said Australia was the preferred choice because of the support it offered disabled children.
Lukas attends a mainstream primary school and has an integration aide and speech therapy.
He plays football, cricket, golf and table tennis, and his parents say he has no difficulties coping.
Ms Moeller said Down syndrome was graded from zero to 100, with zero representing a fully dependent sufferer and 100 the mildest affliction. Lukas was rated close to 100.
"It's the worst thing that's happened to me – worse even than when they told me Lukas had Down syndrome," she said.
"We fought for years against discrimination in Germany against Lukas.
"We wanted to make sure he got the best quality of life, and when we looked all over the world we decided Australia was the right place to live.
"We came to Australia in April 2006 on a temporary residency visa, and we told everybody then we wanted to stay in Australia as permanent residents, but they didn't mention anything like this even possibly happening.
"Now we have to start fighting all over again against discrimination."
Down Syndrome Victoria yesterday slammed the Federal Government's decision.
"This decision is disgraceful and discriminatory," Down Syndrome Victoria executive officer Catherine McAlpine said.
"The department are not looking at Lukas as an individual or seeing his potential.
"Instead, they are making assumptions based on their outmoded understanding of intellectual disability."
Ms McAlpine said the case was one of a number where people with Down syndrome were refused residency automatically because they were judged to be a drain on Australian resources.
"It is outrageous that in the same year the Australian Government ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, it is effectively stripping this young man of his human rights," Ms McAlpine said.
Immigration Minister Chris Evans's office referred questions regarding the Moeller case to his department.
A departmental spokesman said officials were legally bound to reject an application if a Commonwealth medical officer deemed the applicant posed a significant cost burden.
"It is long-standing government policy that high-cost medical conditions are a consideration in visa decisions," the spokesman said, adding that the family could appeal against the decision to the Migration Review Tribunal and, failing that, to the minister.
Dr Moeller said the family would appeal.
Horsham hospital Wimmera Health Group chief executive Chris Scott said he was very disappointed at the decision to refuse Dr Moeller's family permanent residency.
Mr Scott said Dr Moeller's was the only permanent position at the hospital, and two other vacancies were unfilled.
"We recruited him specifically from Germany," Mr Scott said.
"We think it's very disappointing that such a decision can be made when rural Victoria is crying out for senior medical appointments."
-----
This might just be the beginning of something BIG here, besides the uproar the Aussie government's decision will generate. A sovereign nation has rejected a qualified person because of his mutant* kid. If they make it stick there could be precedent...and I don't think I have to tell you all what that might mean!
The only questions are-
Can they stand firm and stick to their decision?
Will this be unfairly extended to the elderly, those injured in accidents, etc?
*Down's Syndrome = genetic mutation.
Cheese Louise
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
On advice from a government doctor, the department wrote to Dr Moeller saying his son had been assessed as a burden on Australian taxpayers and could not be granted permanent residency.
A copy of the decision said care for Lukas was "likely to result in significant costs to the Australian community in health care and community services".
Sweet Jesus, I wish the US would take a lesson from the Aussies on this! We take almost anyone who comes here illegally and drops a loaf as an anchor baybee, then pay for their health care and support and education.
HOWEVER...
Perhaps in this case, Australia goes a bit too far. It DOES seem as though the doctor would have the means to take care of his son without being a burden on Australian taxpayers, and it does sound like his services are desperately needed. If someone is willing to sign a document stating that they will NEVER request ANY social services, they should be allowed to stay on the condition that they fulfill that promise. The second they ask for a red cent of public services....BUH BYE!
But, the rest of it is music to my ears.
A copy of the decision said care for Lukas was "likely to result in significant costs to the Australian community in health care and community services".
Sweet Jesus, I wish the US would take a lesson from the Aussies on this! We take almost anyone who comes here illegally and drops a loaf as an anchor baybee, then pay for their health care and support and education.
HOWEVER...
Perhaps in this case, Australia goes a bit too far. It DOES seem as though the doctor would have the means to take care of his son without being a burden on Australian taxpayers, and it does sound like his services are desperately needed. If someone is willing to sign a document stating that they will NEVER request ANY social services, they should be allowed to stay on the condition that they fulfill that promise. The second they ask for a red cent of public services....BUH BYE!
But, the rest of it is music to my ears.
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Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 4,532 |
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Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 | Registered: 17 years ago Posts: 3,897 |
I DO think that if you are capable and willing to support your disabled family member 100% on your own, you shouldn't be kicked out.
On the other hand, if you just want to sponge off the taxpayers, then your ass needs to be kicked to the curb.
Too bad the US doesn't adopt the same set of standards.
On the other hand, if you just want to sponge off the taxpayers, then your ass needs to be kicked to the curb.
Too bad the US doesn't adopt the same set of standards.
Anonymous User
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
However, they allow all sorts of defective parents to spawn their own defective loafs.
Some folk you don't have to look at twice to know they won't make good parent material. But, despite 'it's for the children' bull shit, we all know it is about the mootard and (occasionally) the duhtard.
Some folk you don't have to look at twice to know they won't make good parent material. But, despite 'it's for the children' bull shit, we all know it is about the mootard and (occasionally) the duhtard.
Krishna
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
I am not certain but I believe Australia like most of the rest of the Western world has socialized medicine. Most countries do not want to take anyone in with disabled kids or if they have disabilities as it costs. Back in 2004 when I was on vacation in Greece with my mother, a man from the UK was whining how Canada would not allow him and his family to emigrate because he had a very handicapped child. Canada does not want to have to take care of this kid. He would be on welfare, have take up time on the wait list for medical care that is supposed to go to CANADIANS, and that would be that. I wish we in the USA were also this strict. But...nooo...we have selective socialism for people who have kids. I also hear Australia and New Zealand do not "F" around when it comes to immigration.
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Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 1,431 |
Yes, they have socialised medicine in Oz just as they do in native Germany. But the visa system in Oz is points-based and runs from a list of criteria. If you make the point threshold you're in, but if you don't make it you're not. Example, people with degrees get a bunch of points. People who have had x number of years working full time in top professions get even more points, whilst semi-skilled and unskilled labourers don't get any points. Then they take points away for certain criteria, and this non-renewal of visa probably indicates they had to answer 'yes' to a question like "Have you or any member of your family had to call upon state assisted health programmes any time in the last 5 years?". Whoops, they just lost 40 points and fell below the threshold.
Because they managed to get in with the Downsie in the first place, I wonder how else they managed to fall below the required number of points this time.
But keep one family in just on the basis they have someone in need of extremely expensive medical assistance, and the floodgates will open. The outback will be hip-deep in foreign Downs kids in three years time.
- - - - - - - -
"The death of creativity is a pram in the hallway"
- Cyril Connolly
Because they managed to get in with the Downsie in the first place, I wonder how else they managed to fall below the required number of points this time.
But keep one family in just on the basis they have someone in need of extremely expensive medical assistance, and the floodgates will open. The outback will be hip-deep in foreign Downs kids in three years time.
- - - - - - - -
"The death of creativity is a pram in the hallway"
- Cyril Connolly
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Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 690 |
Krishna Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>I also hear Australia
> and New Zealand do not "F" around when it comes to
> immigration.
We don't, which is part of the reason why I chose to move to the USA instead of bringing my husband (then fiance) to Australia. It's an insanely difficult, expensive, and a long, looong process. More so than the US. I was here in 11 months from the time my husband had submitted the petition paperwork to me standing on American soil. If it was the other way around, we'd probably be still waiting to hear back from the government... IF they decided to approve of our petition in the first place.
-------------------------------------------------------
>I also hear Australia
> and New Zealand do not "F" around when it comes to
> immigration.
We don't, which is part of the reason why I chose to move to the USA instead of bringing my husband (then fiance) to Australia. It's an insanely difficult, expensive, and a long, looong process. More so than the US. I was here in 11 months from the time my husband had submitted the petition paperwork to me standing on American soil. If it was the other way around, we'd probably be still waiting to hear back from the government... IF they decided to approve of our petition in the first place.
Anonymous User
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
How hard is it for people with desirable skills (computers, MBA) to move to NZ? My wife and I were talking about moving there after we visited earlier this month. It's like Vermont, but taller, and without Americans. 
We were on the south island... Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Fox Glacier.
I was googling for info, and it seems like we'd have a chance at least for a work visa. No kids to, um, burden the taxpayers.
And we're fit!
We were on the south island... Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, and Fox Glacier.I was googling for info, and it seems like we'd have a chance at least for a work visa. No kids to, um, burden the taxpayers.
And we're fit!|
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 | Registered: 18 years ago Posts: 4,096 |
Krishna Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Canada would not allow him
> and his family to emigrate because he had a very
> handicapped child. Canada does not want to have to
> take care of this kid.
I'm surprised, because I was under the impression that we let just about ANYONE in. Like we're an open bar or all-you-can eat buffet. Good to know!
-------------------------------------------------------
> Canada would not allow him
> and his family to emigrate because he had a very
> handicapped child. Canada does not want to have to
> take care of this kid.
I'm surprised, because I was under the impression that we let just about ANYONE in. Like we're an open bar or all-you-can eat buffet. Good to know!
DrDanCorelli
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
It will be interesting to see how Australia balances this case. The country does have a shortage of physicians, due to low pay and better opportunities and training available in Europe or North America. The lack of training opportunities is particularly acute in countries that have socialized medicine and little or no private funds supporting diverse medical specialties. Also, opportunities like translational research funding are not as readily available. Bottom line is a lot of docs do not want to be stuck in a clinic in Podunk giving flu shots or listening to some gravel-mouthed moo bitching about her brat's sniffles.
In most American post-grad medical programs above the residency level (e.g. medical sub-specialties like nephrology, cardiovascular surgery, etc.) there are are a larger number of foreign medical graduates than in other countries. This is due to a number of different factors, but in general these docs like to stay here once their training is completed. Quite frankly, the money is better in the United States at the present. This may change as the health care system undergoes whatever transformation awaits it, but post-grad medical training is responsible for a very large percentage of patient care delivered in the United States and is an integral part of the health professions.
I think Australia is right in denying residency to this guy from the standpoint that his kid will be a drain on public health resources. Even if his kid's Downs is relatively mild, the long-term prognosis for it is, to be blunt, dismal. Down's patients invariably develop serious cardiovascular problems and die decades earlier. They eat up resources as they progress through various stages including diabetes and hypertension, leading to even more serious cardiovascular outcomes. The epidemiology and health economics of Down's are not pretty.
In most American post-grad medical programs above the residency level (e.g. medical sub-specialties like nephrology, cardiovascular surgery, etc.) there are are a larger number of foreign medical graduates than in other countries. This is due to a number of different factors, but in general these docs like to stay here once their training is completed. Quite frankly, the money is better in the United States at the present. This may change as the health care system undergoes whatever transformation awaits it, but post-grad medical training is responsible for a very large percentage of patient care delivered in the United States and is an integral part of the health professions.
I think Australia is right in denying residency to this guy from the standpoint that his kid will be a drain on public health resources. Even if his kid's Downs is relatively mild, the long-term prognosis for it is, to be blunt, dismal. Down's patients invariably develop serious cardiovascular problems and die decades earlier. They eat up resources as they progress through various stages including diabetes and hypertension, leading to even more serious cardiovascular outcomes. The epidemiology and health economics of Down's are not pretty.
Anonymous User
Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome October 31, 2008 |
KidFreeLuvnLife Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I DO think that if you are capable and willing to
> support your disabled family member 100% on your
> own, you shouldn't be kicked out.
>
> On the other hand, if you just want to sponge off
> the taxpayers, then your ass needs to be kicked to
> the curb.
>
> Too bad the US doesn't adopt the same set of
> standards.
Well said!
-------------------------------------------------------
> I DO think that if you are capable and willing to
> support your disabled family member 100% on your
> own, you shouldn't be kicked out.
>
> On the other hand, if you just want to sponge off
> the taxpayers, then your ass needs to be kicked to
> the curb.
>
> Too bad the US doesn't adopt the same set of
> standards.
Well said!
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Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome November 01, 2008 | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 5,275 |
Even if his kid's Downs is relatively mild, the long-term prognosis for it is, to be blunt, dismal. Down's patients invariably develop serious cardiovascular problems and die decades earlier. They eat up resources as they progress through various stages including diabetes and hypertension, leading to even more serious cardiovascular outcomes. The epidemiology and health economics of Down's are not pretty.
I think this is what it boils down to, for me. Australia holds the purse strings and has the right to make difficult decisions like this one. But I also agree that if the dad signed a contract stating that he would never take public monies but would fund 100% of his child's care himself/open a trust fund for his lifetime care, then there's no reason to kick him out.
I think this is what it boils down to, for me. Australia holds the purse strings and has the right to make difficult decisions like this one. But I also agree that if the dad signed a contract stating that he would never take public monies but would fund 100% of his child's care himself/open a trust fund for his lifetime care, then there's no reason to kick him out.
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Re: Doctor and family denied Australian residency because of son with Down's syndrome November 01, 2008 | Registered: 15 years ago Posts: 12,447 |
It seems to me that an underpaid and overworked government employee absolutely did NOT read the file when he stamped DENIED on this man's application for citizenship. Otherwise he would have known that he was over there working as an invited/solicited medical professional. Now though, it's too late to back pedal and simply say, "Sorry, it was a mistake. We will gladly accept your tard son as your skills can more than make up for any potential deficit Dumdum may have on our social service system", now can they? The truth of the matter is that this man's skills/services/contributions vastly outweigh the fact that his son is a retard, but HE and his famblee are the exceptions to the rule. They do NOT want retards coming across their borders to live at large which is why they have this little rule in the first place.
They need to let the doctor go on through the appellate process and make up some believeable reason as to why his application was reconsidered and granted. Otherwise, they are going to be ripped to shreds by ALL of the breeders with a retard in tow when they attempt to come there to live regardless if they have no visible means of supporting the tard in question. If they allow that to happen then they are going to end up just like The United States. We take extra good care, perhaps the BEST care, of our retarded kyds and if they are here illegally or under the care of a whore or drug dealer, it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. The only ones who don't get decent medical care are people between the ages of 21-65 who do not have access to affordable health coverage but are not dirt poor enough to qualify for medicaid, are NOT retarded or otherwise considered disabled, or who have no children. A retard in America is assured a lifetime of not only free medical care, but food, shelter, clothing education,etc.....and if they are a minor chyld then we also take care of their whore of a moocow mother.
They need to let the doctor go on through the appellate process and make up some believeable reason as to why his application was reconsidered and granted. Otherwise, they are going to be ripped to shreds by ALL of the breeders with a retard in tow when they attempt to come there to live regardless if they have no visible means of supporting the tard in question. If they allow that to happen then they are going to end up just like The United States. We take extra good care, perhaps the BEST care, of our retarded kyds and if they are here illegally or under the care of a whore or drug dealer, it doesn't make a damn bit of difference. The only ones who don't get decent medical care are people between the ages of 21-65 who do not have access to affordable health coverage but are not dirt poor enough to qualify for medicaid, are NOT retarded or otherwise considered disabled, or who have no children. A retard in America is assured a lifetime of not only free medical care, but food, shelter, clothing education,etc.....and if they are a minor chyld then we also take care of their whore of a moocow mother.
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