I am reaching out to friends, family, and acquaintances who would consider helping us get my brother “Gordy” back to Scotland for the proper care required to hopefully live a somewhat normal life again.
Long story short, on my return to Florida at the end of February, I found Gordon lying on his bathroom floor, unconscious and in need of some serious help. An ambulance was called, and he was admitted to the emergency at Broward Health. A combination of liver and heart failure had triggered multiple strokes, putting him in a very serious and alarming condition. He has now recovered somewhat and is in a stable condition as far as his heart is concerned (controlled with medication). Liver function is still in the balance, and for now, he is on dialysis three days a week. His mind and mental state are improving, but he is still a long way from being normal. His mobility at this point is the big problem; he has now been bedridden for almost three months, and the loss of muscle mass and his ability to function is unbelievable.
So now we are faced with the problem of trying to get him the proper care he needs to regain his mobility and functionality. He is enrolled with one of the top insurance companies and has good coverage. He has also been accepted by two of the best rehabilitation centers here in South Florida, but his insurance company has denied him access to either of these rehabilitation centers as they justify, they don’t think he is capable or fit enough to perform the rehabilitation. They will grant him access to a lower level of rehabilitation, if that center will accept him in his condition, where he will probably end up being bedridden for the rest of his life. Go figure!!
After a very tough few months dealing with everything that has been involved, both myself, family, and friends believe the best solution for him to have any chance of recovery and a normal life again would be for him to be transferred back to Scotland.
You would think it would be an easy solution, just get him on a plane. Yes, agreed, but the main problem being his mobility, or the lack of, and the fact that he can’t walk, barely sit for that matter, poses its own problems. We have found a means to get him flown back with one of the major flight carriers with a stretcher bed; this would include medical assistance during the flight and ground transportation on arrival back in Scotland.
Of course, this type of medical repatriation comes at a truly unrealistic figure and beyond our means.
So, I am asking from the bottom of my heart for your consideration, support, and help to get “The Big Gentle Giant” back to Scotland and on the road to recovery.
My sincerest thanks for taking the time to consider our situation.
