Personal message

In late Feb 2023, our Dad, Trevor had an ischemic stroke, followed by a severe hemorrhagic stroke. The resulting complications meant that he was left fighting for his life and had to be placed into a medical coma, tracheostomy performed and months in hospital and physio to try and restore bodily function. We now face Trevor struggling with vascular dementia and cognitive decline.

Our family is from Johannesburg, South Africa where there is limited to no public healthcare and private medical cover is the only way to go. Trevor was lucky enough to have medical aid and with that he received the private healthcare so many others are denied. Despite this Trevor has been left severely disabled with hemiplegia (paralysed on one side of the body) meaning he is bed bound, cannot be moved without two strong lifters, needs full time support with all daily grooming, eating and toilet activities). Medical Aid does not cover any medical support outside the hospital and there is no government aid to support this type of care. The family have been privately funding this at a cost of roughly £2000k per month. We are paying for full time caring due to his condition as well his medical supplies and medication.

As a family we are devastated seeing our Dad like this, having been an avid motorbike racer and the life and soul of the party this stroke has taken everything from him. We are also devastated at needing to ask for any financial support - we are a proud family who are all working and paying as much as we can, but we are drowning under the costs. We have never asked anyone for help, support or handouts , the way our Dad raised us, but as a family we cannot afford to sustain the level of care our father needs. We are hoping that any contributions will help cover the ongoing costs for his care and provide any relief at all from this awful situation.

Anything you can offer at all, would make a huge difference and if you are unable to, we ask if you could kindly share this within your friends and networks. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.