A British grandma with a slew of health issues fell seriously-ill during a dream holiday to Disney World but is trapped in the US after failing to pay for travel insurance.
Patricia Bunting, 76, had saved for the last two years to accompany her grandson and her two sons to Walt Disney World in The Sunshine State.
Aware that her declining health would soon mean no more trips back to her beloved United States, she wanted to return to her ‘happy place’.
Bunting currently uses three different inhalers to ease her breathing difficulties which is caused by a chronic pulmonary disease, and she relies on a walker.
On her 20 previous trips to the US she had purchased travel insurance. But this time couldn’t afford the $3,000 cost quoted due to her severe health issues, a decision that would prove to be a terrible mistake.
After making the ten hour flight from her home in the UK in late October, she enjoyed three weeks in the sun before complaining of exhaustion on November 23.
The family had been set to return five days later, but had to rush Bunting to Orlando’s Dr. P. Phillips Hospital after she was found passed out in the bathroom.
She spent the next five days in intensive care with Covid and then pneumonia, having refused to be intubated over fear she would not wake up.
Patricia Bunting, 76, is pictured seriously-ill in Orlando after traveling to Florida on vacation and falling ill. She did not purchase travel insurance and is now on the hook for huge medical bills
Bunting had saved for the last two years to accompany her grandson and her two sons to Walt Disney World in The Sunshine State
Her sons and grandson had to also take their scheduled flight home on November 28 despite her being intensive care after running out of money.
Over two weeks on, she still remains in critical care and is requiring constant oxygen while under heavy medication and her medical bills steadily rising.
Her family are desperate to fly her home where her treatment would be covered for free by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
Due to her condition, she is unable to undertake the return flight without medical care and would require a bed, oxygen and assistance in the air.
According to figures acquired by her daughter Emma, the cost for the flight and the aid could cost as much $53,000.
Her daughter, who didn’t make the initial Disney trip with her family, has since flown to America to be with her.
Speaking with The Tampa Bay Times, she said: ‘She’s scared of passing away in a U.S. hospital far from her family.
‘I want nothing more than to have mum home for Christmas so she’s surrounded by all the love of her family.’
Bunting lives in Wigan, around 22 miles from Manchester, and has three sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren.
Over two weeks on, she still remains in critical care and is requiring constant oxygen while under heavy medication and her medical bills steadily rising
Due to her condition, she is unable to undertake the return flight without medical care and would require a bed, oxygen and assistance in the air
The family have sought the help of the UK Embassy in Miami who they say only asked how they planned to pay for their medical bills.
Emma continued: ‘I feel anxious. I don’t know how much this will cost but I know she need this care.’
The family told the outlet that the hospital had helped them with low-cost accommodation.
They have also since launched a fundraiser to help raise the necessary funds to have her flown home. It can be found here.
In it, Emma wrote: ‘Every donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. If you can’t donate, please help by sharing this page with your network.
‘We are forever grateful for your kindness, generosity, and prayers. We just want to bring my mum home where she belongs.’
