Wanbin Lu: Updates

WB's future social security benefit estimate is fine
It was obtained directly from the Social Security Administration office, using WB's SSN. You may find the rules applicable to WB specifically by clicking here. You may click here to see the rules for those planning on living abroad upon retirement in general. Note indeed that not every greencard holder retiring to China will qualify for social security.

$$$ help is unlikely from Chinese Consulate in Chicago
The caption says it all. The Office did offer a visit to WB, but conditioned on two if's: if his family would fax to the Office a letter expressing the desire and wish to have WB return to China, and if his friends would also fax a letter describing his situation.

The procedure of formally filing a request and then getting approval for overseas Chinese (such as greencard holders like WB) to resettle in China is very cumbersome and time-consuming; it also can be done in China after one's return. For those who are interested to know more, see an example by clicking here.

The Chinese Social Service Center dives into WB's case
The Center, through its executive director Yi Li You's personal involvement, has been one of the cornerstones for the just started fund drive on behalf of WB. It adds to the effort credibility, experience, and expertise, among many other things. Thank you, Director Li, for your initiative diving deeper into the case.

Checks made to the Center will be tax deductible, with receipts provided.

WB's PhD adviser calls
Dr. Robert Erickson, WB's adviser back in his UMn days, called on 3/3, thanks to Hung Chen's spreading the words. I will accompany him to visit WB on 3/9.

WB's life saver emerges, almost
I went to Shanghai Market on 3/3, and asked the cashier whether the boss was in. She replied no but why? I said that I'd like to ask if the boss would help out with what the appeal letter described. She said: Oh, we all knew who that guy was (who alerted the rental office to check in on WB and found him immobile in his chair); and he described his visiting WB as if spirit- or god-driven (gui shi shen chai), for cellphone repair. But she demurred when I asked for his name. I told her how to contact me and asked to convey to him my interest to talk with him.

WB is bruised but in good spirit
I visited WB on 3/3. He got some bad bruises on the right part of his forehead--I checked with the nurse, who took out the daily log and told me that the bruises were just skin deep, due to a fall on 3/1 .

He was in a good spirit, a rarity. Perhaps, the prospect of going to china has lifted him up a bit already.

As customary, I spoke in Chinese to him.

I asked him whether he remembered Robert Erickson. He nodded his customary nod. I followed up with the question: Who is he? He cleared his throat and said clearly: wo de bo shi dao shi (my PhD adviser). Another question: Do you like him to visit you? He nodded affirmative. I said: "He'd like to visit you but wanted me to check with you first to see whether you still remember him." He broke into a broad smile, as if saying why anyone would think such a thing (remembering or not). I said: "Well, then, I'll let him know and he'll visit you." He looked very pleased with that prospect.

I asked him about the person who had essentially saved his life. That part of conversation did not go very far, except that he seemed indicating that the person was there asking WB to repair his cellphone.

I described to WB the fund drive on his behalf and showed him a copy of China Tribune carrying the open letter appealing for donations. He took the paper and laid it down on his recliner...

I said goodbye to him and then went to check his room. On my way out, I noticed that he was staring at the letter, although it was impossible to tell whether he was actually reading it.