"My landlady was putting on a lot of pressure to pay my rent, which I couldn't afford to do. She confiscated all of my belongings when I was in hospital."


I think the government calls me an "over-stayer".  I had applied to stay in the UK on a family reunion visa when I became very unwell. I knew I already had HIV and TB and was on treatment, but I was also diagnosed with lymphoma cancer and needed to start chemotherapy. I was very anxious about what would happen to me when I came out of hospital because my landlady was putting on a lot of pressure to pay my rent, which I couldn't afford to do. She confiscated all of my belongings when I was in hospital. It was very distressing.

I was helped by a charity that helped my buy toiletries when I was in hospital and credit for a mobile phone so I could keep in touch with my family. They would visit me in hospital and keep in touch by telephone. They also gave me clothes. I was seen by a social worker who initially said I didn't meet the criteria for getting financial aid, but later changed their mind because my circumstances had changed. A lawyer saw me in hospital and felt I had a credible case to stay. I still don't know how it's going to turn out in the end though, both in terms of my health and if I will be forced to return to Nigeria.

David

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