Warren (Ossie) Dighton’s medical fund

Warren (Ossie) Dighton’s medical fund

Ossie has lived independently throughout his life. He arrived in Spain from Ireland in 2012, he is 61. He has had the support of family and friends since he fell ill a year ago, but now he needs a little more help.

OSSIE’S EMERGENCY/CRISIS!

Last year Ossie caught his 3rd dose of Covid and emerging from this realised that he was still in a lot of pain in his stomach and in his side. He was rushed to hospital and told that he had an infection in his colon and it was about twice the size it should be. He had had a severe diverticulitis attack and his bowel had stopped working. He had developed a rectal fistula, which the surgeon he spoke to told him, probably saved his life. He described it like a worm that had tunneled through his stomach and reduced the pressure on his colon, but it is leaching all of the nutritional value that he receives from food.

Now, a year later it still doesn’t function. The surgeon told him that he needed the fistula removing immediately, as it would lie dormant, and if triggered, could push through to his kidneys or other organs. The surgeons at that time, told him that he should have the operation done as an emergency and be covered by the Spanish medical system, and this was stated for the first 4 months of his condition.

OSSIE’S LAST YEAR

For the last year of his life Ossie has had to manage his life whilst suffering with his bowels not working and the fistula. He is on a strict no-fibre diet because he mustn’t cause blockages in his system, with only white starches like rice and pasta, as he has been in pre-operation mode. He can only eat a very limited range of vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots. He has lost 1/3 of his body weight in this period.

He has had more than a dozen appointments with consultants, and lots of tests and scans in this last year, and has had 20 or more visits concerning his bowels, to Accident and Emergency.

It has financially ruined him, and put him in debt with his brother to the tune of £11,000. Keeping his house and land maintained has been nigh on impossible over this period, and the house is up for sale. It is an off-grid house on the side of a mountain. It is quite isolated and has very difficult access.

MEDICAL MIX UP

He was told, from the very beginning that this was an emergency and would therefore be treated as an Emergency. This has changed over the months, due to administration, to being considered Critical, meaning that they will only operate on it in an emergency, in other words, if he is in a coma or worse! This is very dangerous for Ossie, especially with the access issues for his home.

Four different medical routes have been rejected so far:

1 it was meant to be done as an Emergency – and it was downgraded to Critical;

2 separate insurance companies have refused to deal with the operation;

3 The UK Global Medical Card (post-Brexit) has been accepted, rejected and then accepted and rejected again;

4 He was prepped in November for the op and told he was on an 22 day guarantee, then the Director at Motril Hospital cancelled the op! The hospital refused to carry it out because of the UK Global Medical Card being rejected again, and he is suffering intolerably whilst he waits for the op.

So, Ozzy has had to find another way to sort it out. He has had to surrender his British Medical entitlement in order to apply for an Assistance Sanitaria Card in Spain, which will cover all his treatment in Spain, but it comes at an additional monthly cost.

WHY HE NEEDS HELP

Obviously with a condition such as this, he has been unable to work in the past year. Unfortunately, with Brexit and the notorious bureaucracy in Spain, he has fallen through the cracks in the medical system there. He has tried various supplements, but the fistula is leaking out any nutritional value, and his suffering is unendurable. He is weakened and tired as this story continues.

WHAT WILL THE FUNDS BE USED FOR?

Ossie is living in a remote part of Spain, and therefore needs to have a car to get around.

He still needs to buy food and gas to cook with. Although he grew much of his own vegetables, he was unable to eat his produce last year, due to his limited diet, which also makes it difficult for his friends to cook for him.

Friends and loved ones have been a fantastic support in taking him to visit the hospital where he has had numerous scans. But each of the specialists he has seen has insisted that he have the op immediately for the removal of the fistula and repair to his damaged colon. There is talk of him having a temporary colostomy bag, and he hopes not a permanent one. His digestive system needs to be rebalanced and brought back into play.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Ossie is now in a position where financial help has become a necessity, and he needs to not have to worry while he waits for and recovers from the op,

including food, fuel, maintenance for his house and car and 6 months of payments for the medical card. He will have to pay for his medicine, and consult with a dietitian. He would like to be back on his feet in the next 6 months.

He doesn’t receive any benefits or sickness and he is not entitled to a pension for another 6 years.

He’s also been taking laxatives for a long time, which is really dangerous, and the longer this goes on the more in danger he is from cancer and/or having a permanent colostomy bag.

He will be paying 70 euros a month for medical insurance. He thinks he may be able to have the operation in April. So, he’s looking to raise 5,000 + euros to live for his next 6 months.

Just going back and forth to his house is so hard, and he’s really struggling, so he would appreciate anything anyone can do to help.

He’s really relieved, having found out that the medical card is definitely coming through.

Ossie is aware that we are all feeling the pinch at this time, and asks that if people can, they make a contribution and/or share this fundraiser, to help him pay for basic living expenses and the medical cover he needs. He feels very humbled to be asking for help, and will be forever in a debt of gratitude for any support he receives.

Your generosity, whether it's giving a donation, sharing the campaign, or even sending messages of encouragement, will help Ossie.

Thank you so much for any help you can give!

A link for his house for sale:

https://holaproperties.com/property-details/sales/orgiva/460825/