“Since
my dad and brother passed away, my mum has no one but me. I cannot leave her by herself in another
country so far away.”
Dina is a British citizen. She has
lived in UK since 2004, the year she met her husband, also a British
citizen. The couple married in 2005 and
now are proud parents to a three year old girl.
Dina moved here after graduating
from a university in Russia as a teacher of English and German. She pursued further teacher training in the
UK including obtaining the Cambridge Certificate in teaching English. Dina now teaches English at Kent Adult
Education Service.
Her husband is a visual effects
artist in the film industry in London.
They own a three bedroom home, have never claimed benefits - nor would
they be entitled to given their financial situation.
When Dina and her husband decided to
start a family, Dina did not really worry about her parents, as her brother, a
doctor by profession, was there to support them.
However, the last six years have
been very tough for the family; Dina’s father died from cancer in 2009; her
brother died four years later of a heart failure in what was a shock and
devastating loss for both, Dina and her mum.
Dina’s mum has not recovered from
the ordeal of losing her young son, her health has suffered and all alone in
Russia, all she now lives for are her visits to Dina and beloved granddaughter.
The family has not applied for settlement
as Dina’s mum is currently aged 64.
However it does not seem worthwhile applying under the current rules
even when she turns 65.
Dina is the sole surviving
child. Dina’s daughter, the only
grandchild. Other family in Russia
consists of Dina’s two aunts, both older than her mum, living a 12-hour train
journey away and unable to support their younger sister.
Dina has no relatives in the UK from
her side of the family; she misses her mum and longs for her to be able to have
a presence in their family unit. But as
this is not permitted, Dina finds herself experiencing feelings of guilt,
confusion and sadness that she cannot provide a peaceful family life for her
mum, much deserved at this stage in life, and after all she’s been
through. It is beyond comprehension
that British citizens in their own country cannot have a single elderly mum
living with them!
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| Three generations together - Dina with her mum and daughter, Christmas 2014 |
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