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Thursday, August 20, 2009

VISAS, SCHOOLS AND CIRCLES

So, I have been researching on how I am going to obtain a visa to continue to apprentice under Shell. Some days it looks positive, but as of late not so much. Not really sure where to go from here.

Midwifery isn't exactly at the top of the list when it comes to the government. They say they are hiring midwives, but they make it very difficult. Acknowledging that most of their midwives are educated outside of Canada, there seems to be no easy path to work with a preceptor for a prolonged period of time.

Schools. That is a joke, and not a funny one. UK schools, allegedly the highest standard, comes at a cost of $50,000 to $60,000 at the end of it being an International student. On the other side, I'm blatantly not ELIGIBLE to study at most schools, because their programs are NHS funded. Another hit to a socialized healthcare scheme? Only for us foreign students who are desperately trying to find their way.

Canadian schools not much help. Half the time I can't even reach them...either by email or phone. Understaffed? Typical across Canada. SO what's left?

Risk living illegally yet not on the shoulder of another country? i'm more than capable of supporting myself (along with the help of a very supportive community). Risk losing my national healthcare? Beginning my own fight to follow this path, which has now become such a passion. Not only because I want it for myself, but if I've ever needed a cause to advocate for, this is it.



Keep posted on my upcoming analysis on the state of Midwifery affairs in Canada.

Dire, but hopeful?
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2 comments:

  1. labrador teaAugust 21, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    So, it was brought to my attention that this was a negative post. Mayhaps. But the state of midwifery care around the world is depressing. More and more the witch hunt that we all remember from Salem is being enacted again on modern midwives. We think of the UK as being up there for home births, however more and more women are giving birth in hospitals and independent midwives are being abolished for more "sophisticated" nurse midwives.

    It's becoming more difficult for midwives to practice and for women to have access to midwifery care. recent legislation passed in canada has now eradicated practices because there are no midwives working within their health region.

    it's a double edged sword now that the government is covering midwifery care, they are also legislating it. There should be no difference when it comes to insurance purposes between health region and independent midwives. the government should cover them all.

    It is not a woman's fault because she lives on the other side of an imaginary line that separates her and ultimately restricts her right to a home birth. If she wants that midwife she must travel to the midwife and unfortunately in many place that means she has to give birth in a hospital.

    so if that post was depressing, it's because the reality of midwifery is depressing...however, the fight continues!

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  2. Mrs. SquishAugust 28, 2009 at 10:55 PM

    It's your place to vent, Tracey and a great way to document your journey. Not every blog post is going to be candy and rainbows - especially when you're dealing with oppression (yup! I said it!) of women and their right to choose their birthing care.

    Keep on trucking, you've got a supporter up here in Canada who is closely following your journey (along with a lot of others, too).

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