Somewhere along the way when my stress-levels were at their highest, my brain-fog the thickest and I felt completely stuck between hospital and sickness insurance, I wrote to AIACE-DE (the German branch of our “union”, or “pensioners club” AIACE-EUROPA which represents former EU staff). I am a member of the German branch (for now).

As is so typical in Germany with the reluctance to put anything in writing, the same thing that almost always happens when you send an e-mail – somebody tried to call me. I obviously was not in any fit state to talk to anybody, neither on the phone nor in person, so I waited for the e-mail reply which never came. I don’t know why it is not accepted in Germany that when you send a question by e-mail, it is because you need the response by e-mail.

I was then put in touch with a person (not sure if they would want their name publicised here) in the Danish branch of AIACE, and they were incredibly helpful. I received all the information I had been looking for, IN WRITING so that I could study it whenever I felt able to.

I am thinking of trying to become a member of the Danish branch, since it is so much more useful. I may or may not remain a member of the German branch since I am not convinced of its usefulness. I would miss out on the social events, but they are in any case very boring, just like I am sure they are in all other national branches of AIACE.