a unique situation - Jamaica Talk

jeffrey1307 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-16-2007, 01:50 PM

Hello everyone,
I have a bit of a unique situation that I really hope somebody can help me sort out. I am a young disabled American who has been living in the Czech Republic on and off for the last six years.
I am planning to return to the states for about one month and then I would really like to move to Jamaica. I've never been to Jamaica but depending on how life is there, I'm seriously considering staying for a while. What I am looking for is two things. First and foremost I really need to find a personal assistant to take care of me. I'm really not a high maintenance disabled person and I am extremely independent. I'm looking for a person or persons to come to me about four or five hours a day once or twice in a day. What I need is a person to help me with the basic necessities such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, etc. Since I am a musician/filmmaker, I am extremely laid back and very easy to get along with. Like I said before, the work is not at all difficult but it would be very important for the person to be responsible, trustworthy, easy-going, and very dependable. Because I would be paying the person under the table, it could be very beneficial especially for a foreigner. My plan is to organize everything before I arrive and my plan is to travel there by myself so I would really need somebody immediately upon arriving. Second, I really need to organize some sort of accommodation. Of course the accommodation would have to be accessible for a wheelchair user. Pretty much the only thing I need as far as accessibility is that a wheelchair could get in and out of the place where I'm living. And that's pretty much it. I really don't know where exactly I want to live but I guess that all depends on the person I end up hiring and everything else together. I know this might sound a little bit crazy but I guess that is how I wound up in the Czech Republic. So if you have any questions or any useful information it would be very much appreciated. Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you all on the other side of the Atlantic.

Alex4Ja · #2 (**permalink**) 08-16-2007, 03:24 PM

Hi Jeffrey1307,

Welcome to ETJ.

If your post is not a farce but is infact genuine, then the first thing I would ask is this...Assuming that your term "stay a while" means that you would consider living there, are you sufficiently financially secure to live in Jamaica?
Also, why would you consider living in a country that you have never even visited?

Jobs are not very easy to find down there and being in a diasbled situation as you describe, may present additional difficulty in receiving an income.
First of all, obtaining residency in Jamaica requires application and processing not unlike here in the United States.

Primarily, it requires that you demonstrate proof of income, solid source of financial stability or means of obtaining gainful employment.

If you are able to satify that criteria, among others, then you have a very good chance of obtaining residency.

Obtaining a personal assistant might be a little touchy. Do you want a "local" or someone from overseas?
If the former, you would best make your request through a 'professional' agency of sorts on the island or through someone you have grown to know and trust.

In my opinion, you should first take a trip to the island. Meet the locals, get a reputable taxi driver to take you around to see the country; make a few friends, ask a few questions.

Only then, You should start thinking about moving there. A trip to Jamaica can be paradise, but can quickly turn to frustration and dissappointment, if not properly thought out and void of information.

Whatever your decision, I wish you the best of luck.

Lastly,
We have a few ETJ members, (some of whom live in Jamaica) who I am sure could provide you with valuable contacts and assistance in getting that personal assistant.

If not, please feel free to send me a PM and i woudl be happy to help in any way I can.

All the best.

Hotteach · #3 (**permalink**) 08-16-2007, 03:28 PM

Where do you plan to be in the US......????

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