Narbonne

[venturia2010]

Hello, my name is Carrie Varner.  I live in Marshall, Minnesota, United States and I've always wanted to learn about French culture and I've wanted to live in France ever since I was a pre-teen.      I took French for two years in high school, however, I wasn't able to stay with it due to the special education department I dealt with in the town

Comments

[mummy_owl]

Good luck! France does have a policy of equality for all but be aware that individuals can be just as bigoted and old fashioned as anywhere else!

In the mean time - try to watch films or TV in french (you might be able to get french TV online). It's a great way to pick up accent and vocabulary :-)

[venturia2010]

Thanks for letting me know how to learn the language and thank you very much for the encouragement, I don't get that a lot.

[sadwizardscrypt]

Trust me, Minnesota will treat you better than France.

[beix_brittany]

Your story is touching. Is it due to financial cuts that you couldn't get special help anylonger

[venturia2010]

Part of the reason I get treated the way I do is because the state and frederal governments want to balance the state and federal budgets by re-opening the institutions and forcing anyone with a disability back in them thinking it would save them money, when in reality, it costs much less to have people living as independent as possible in the community. By far the main reason I get treated the way I do is because I'm willing to speak my mind about how it really is in AMerica for those with disabilities. The only way I can get any real form of legal protection in case something happens to my family is to get married as my husband would be much more likely to stave off any attempts at the state and federal level to put me somewhere away from family and friends. By speaking my mind, I'm shattering the ideation that were #1 in services and protection for those with disabilities when in reality we are far from it. Your country is much more willing to help people with disabilities as is most of Europe. I'm well aware of the

[samdebretagne]

Hello from a fellow Minnesotan. I'm surprised no one has mentioned HOW you are going to live over here. What visa are you going to apply for? How are you going to support yourself?

Also, I have to agree with some of the other posters here. A friend's brother has a different kind of disability and he has received less than ideal care his entire life. His mother has had to fight tooth and nail to get him even the most basic treatments. And I'm just concerned that as a non-French speaker, you won't be able to be as good as an advocate for yourself here as you are in Minnesota.

[venturia2010]

I had no idea that I had to apply for a visa. What visa would I have to apply for? In terms of supporting myself, I have skills in office work, assisting librarians, cashiering, and of course self-advocacy. I understand and know what its like to have mediocre care at best. I went undiagnosed with a thyroid problem which turned out be cogenital for many years. That's why I'm under 5 feet(I went from 4'11" at age 8 when I stopped growing to 4'9 1/2" last October) and I'm losing my hair from said problem and from a mild form of lupus which I found out Christmas of 2009(it was my only Christmas gift that year)and I also found out when I was 25 that the left side of my body is afflicted with a mild form of cerebral palsy. I didn't know what form of autism I had until I was 22. I'm willing to go under the radar if it becomes needed. I've been under the radar now for at least 3 years,probably closer to 5-7 years. I'm trying very hard to learn French. I'm going to check into films and television in French, and I'm setting as many

[samdebretagne]

Moving to another country is not like moving to another state within in the US. You need to get permission to do so from the appropriate government body, in this case from the French consulate in Chicago. The problem with this is that unemployment is extremely high in France, which means there aren't even enough jobs for the French, so they only accept people who are married (and have a spouse who can support them), people who are retired or people who have large sums of savings so they don't need to work. Ie. it is extremely difficult to get a visa that will allow you to work in France.

It is sad to say, but your disabilities will also likely be a hindrance, because they will see that, think about how much money you are going to cost the French healthcare system and say "No thank you, visa denied".

[venturia2010]

I'm well aware that a work visa would be difficult to obtain, even in the best of circumstances. I'm also very aware that my disabilities will be a hindrance in any place of the world. My disabilities are a hindrance in this country and that's one of the main reasons I can't find a job. In terms of costing the healthcare system money, that will be a problem for me any place in the world. I already am considered more burden than its worth in this country, so if I have to go completely off the radar and possibly go underground to get healthcare, I'll do it. Should push come to shove and I have to get married to secure anything, I'll do that too. I have to do that here in America if I want any form of security or protection. I'm aware of the difficulties I have in front of me and I'm willing to deal with them head on.

[venturia2010]

In reading my response to the comment that I made, I can't help but feel like I offended someone for some reason. If that is the case, I do apologize. I tend to let my emotions and my temper get the better from time to time and I tend to have the tendency to open mouth, insert foot(just more reasons I don't go near people that often: I tend to make most people I come in contact with not have anything to do with me within a few months of knowing me due to all the social faux pas I do, say, or write). I know that I'm going to have significant hurdles in front of me and I've had many before hand and I know that with perseverance and determination, I can handle almost anything. I also know that this can become a problem for as I can too determined and have everything backfire on me in spectactular fashion(thank God cell phones, YouTube, and Facebook weren't around when I was in school). I hope all is well with everyone.