Help Us Bring Si Home – Support Our Journey ❤️

Hi I’m Nik, and I’m Si’s wife. I’m reaching out to share the story of our beloved Si and ask for your help during this challenging time. On Friday, June 21st, life as we knew it changed in an instant. That morning, my husband Si (55) and our son Kai (19) left for work as usual. Si, a self-employed painter and decorator, was working locally. We all said our goodbyes, expecting to see each other later. But shortly after midday, I received a devastating phone call—Si had collapsed at work.

Rushing to the scene, I arrived at The Ship pub where Si had been working, to find paramedics surrounding him. He had suffered a massive stroke caused by a subarachnoid haemorrhage—a severe brain bleed. Si was rushed to Arrowe Park Hospital, where we were told that the bleed was one of the largest they had ever seen. It left him completely paralysed on the right side, unable to speak, swallow, or eat. Doctors warned us that Si’s condition was critical and that he might not survive the next few days. They told me they would keep him comfortable but it was best that I bring my family to the ward to be with him.

Despite the grim outlook, Si is a fighter. Over the past three months, he has faced an uphill battle in the hospital, enduring pneumonia, multiple infections, and even COVID-19. He’s been in and out of consciousness, but he continues to surprise us with his strength. His recovery is slow, he still can’t speak, swallow or eat but each week brings a small improvement—he can now move his head independently, and he communicates with us through yes/no cards and a thumbs-up. His spirit shines through when he gives the nurses a cheeky middle finger during blood pressure checks, making everyone laugh.

The doctors tell us that Si will likely need a wheelchair for the rest of his life, and the chances of him walking or talking again are slim. However, with the love and support of our family and friends we remain hopeful and believe in Si’s ability to overcome the odds.

Si's journey is far from over, and we want to bring him home. However, the challenges are immense. Our home needs major adaptations to accommodate Si’s new needs, and the process of getting a disability grant from the council could take 12–18 months. In the meantime, we’re looking to fund a structure in our garden that can house the equipment and care Si will require once he’s discharged from the hospital.

I haven’t been able to work since Si’s stroke, other than a few hours here and there and our family is struggling financially while trying to cope emotionally. The support from friends, family, and the community has been overwhelming, and many have asked how they can help. This GoFundMe page is part of our effort to raise funds to get Si the care and accommodations he needs so we can finally bring him home.

Your donations, no matter the size, will go towards:

• Building a suitable living space for Si

• Providing him with necessary medical equipment

• Funding 24-hour care until we can secure a disability grant

We are grateful for any support, whether it’s through donations, sharing our story, or keeping Si in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us on this journey to bring Si home where he belongs.

With love

Nik, Kai, and Gina xxx