Monika
Like my husband, I was born in Warsaw, Poland. We first came to Scotland when we were around 60 years old, in September 2013, and moved here for good in March 2014. Our daughter, Agata, who is 34 and has a disability, is also here. I have to admit that Scotland did a lot of good to us, to the whole family.
I cannot deny that my mind was split between staying in Poland with Agata, or coming here. But Agata made a choice for all of us; it was obvious for her that we should be together. And eventually we joined Wieslaw after a few months.
The beginnings were not easy, but I decided that since I’m here now, I wanted to feel as good as I can, for all of us to feel good about moving, and to treat it as an adventure. When I look at the last few years, I can say they have been the best, the happiest time in our lives – and I think we are a great example that you can start your life over again at any age. It made us feel both happier and younger.
Acceptance and tolerance are not empty words here. Being different here is OK, and in Agata’s case we can really see this. I’m becoming a much calmer, mentally healthier person for it. And now I have time and energy to volunteer in local projects and be part of the multinational community here.
Pilton and neighbouring Muirhouse have traditionally carried bad reputations, but they are changing. They’re supposed to be building a new shopping centre, so the place that had possibly the worst reputation in the town is going to go through a significant metamorphosis in the next couple of years.
I think that because we have decided to take this crazy step to move abroad at retirement age, we don’t fear Brexit. We fear nothing now.
Wieslaw
Since my early childhood I was fascinated by Scotland. My grandfather came to Scotland with General Anders in 1947, after being with the Allied Army in Italy. My father used to be a famous tailor in Warsaw, making clothes for people from the worlds of art and politics.