Scottish man who collapsed in Florida 'may never walk again' as family make desperate plea
A carpenter who collapsed in Florida faces the possibility of never walking again and being 'bedridden for life' unless he can return to Scotland.
Gordon Milloy, originally from Kilmarnock, experienced heart and kidney failure which led to several strokes on Tuesday, March 4, confining him to the HCA Florida JFK Hospital as his family fights to get him back home for medical care.
Although covered by health insurance policy with Florida Blue, who suggested placing him in a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), Gordon's brother Brian Milloy, 57, is pushing for an Acute Rehabilitation Facility (IRF), believing it offers better chances for rehabilitation.
While SNFs are generally designated for patients not yet capable of handling intensive therapy, Gordon's family aims for IRF-based treatment, which is more comprehensive than an intermediate SNF option.
Brian expressed frustration at the insurance company's stance: "The insurance company is denying him access to acute rehabilitation claiming he's not fit enough to complete it - despite doctors saying he's ready to be discharged.", reports the Daily Record.
(Image: GoFundMe)
He further highlighted the challenge in finding an appropriate SNF equipped with required dialysis services, given that Gordon requires it three times per week due to precarious liver function.
Back in Scotland, Brian is confident that Gordon would have access to IRF: "In Scotland, Gordon will be offered IRF. We need to get him back home."
Without urgent rehabilitation and specialist equipment, Brian warns that his brother may end up condemned to a life confined to bed: "Without acute rehab and specialised equipment, he'll likely remain bedridden for the rest of his life. He will basically have no life at all."
(Image: Supplied)
Brian discovered his brother Gordon in a dire state at his home in Florida early March, collapsed on the bathroom floor suffering from heart and kidney failure that led to multiple strokes.
He explained: "Gordon was lying collapsed on the bathroom floor. He had heart and kidney failure which had caused multiple strokes. The doctors reckon his heart was only functioning at 20 per cent at one point."
The family is now eager to bring Gordon back to Scotland for NHS treatment and the necessary care.
(Image: Supplied)
Brian elaborated: "For him to have any sort of life, he needs to be home in Scotland where he has access to the NHS. It is very doubtful that he'll ever be able to work again either. He won't be able to support himself financially in the US.
"We need to get him back to Scotland where he'll receive dialysis, post-stroke care and acute rehabilitation. It would be better all round."
Transporting Gordon via a US medical flight is estimated to cost around £300,000, while UK companies have quoted between £100,000 and £150,000.
However, the family has secured an offer from a German company partnered with Lufthansa, AirAmbulance24, who can provide the service for just under £50,000, including a stretcher, medical team, and ground transport.
In response, Brian has set up a GoFundMe page which has already garnered close to £21,000, as he seeks to gather the necessary funds.
"I'm reaching out to anyone who can help get my brother Gordy back to Scotland for the proper care required to hopefully live a somewhat normal life again," he appealed.
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The family has expressed their desire to have him back home, saying: "We just want him home. He deserves a chance. He's a gentle giant who's been through hell."
Those wishing to support the Milloy family's efforts to bring Gordon home can visit their GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/6e12c439..
Florida Blue was contacted for a statement but declined to comment on individual cases.
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