Expat Community > Ecuador

GringoinQuito
Joined 2013
Posts: 725

A cautionary tale

6 years ago

Last year a person posted on this forum that he and his wife were moving to Quito and had serious health problems such as diabetes 1 and heart problems. Wanted to know about availibility of drugs and the availiblity of supplies for a insuilin pump. Also asked about shipping his woodworking shop and all of their belongings. He was advised to give all of this a second serious thought as Ecuador might not be for him and wife becuse of health problems.
Lo and behold, this couple moved across the hall from me while waiting for their container to arrive.
I helped them get health insurance, find a new apartment, arrange for celular and TV service, etc. I also accompanied them on doctors visit to translate for them.
I told them the necessity of learning Spanish, but it was brushed off by saying he had a translation program on his cell phone.
Their health over the past year had not been good. Last Sunday he passed away. His wife could not call for medical help, not knowing any Spanish. She finally found a neighbor who spoke english, but it was too late.
My advice is that anyone with fragile health should think very hard about making such a move, and for God's sake learn Spanish. The poor wife is now here alone with all of her belongings and no means to relocate back to the USA.

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