Steve (Billy) Budd back in the UK!

 

My brother, Steve (Billy) Budd started working life as a 2nd Officer, Navigator in the Merchant Navy for many years until the Government cutbacks meant he had to be pensioned off. He then spent years trying to find a job he could love as much as being a seafarer, so 11 years ago he decided to move to China and teach English at the Universities. Asia has always had a place in Steve's heart and he's always wanted to retire there. Being a Westerner meant that he soon became a local celebrity wherever he went, and has enjoyed being part of the local culture, making friends with all his students and teachers, and of course the food! Life was good.

 

Unfortunately, nearly 4 weeks ago Steve suddenly became very unwell, collapsed and was rushed to the ICU at the local Military Hospital in Lanzhou, where he became unconscious, was put on oxygen and underwent tests to try and diagnose his condition. During that time Steve became delirious as his body battled with a very bad infection which was also causing him heart problems. Over the weeks he's had two lumbar punctures, body scans, received bags of saline to restore severe dehydration, been fed via a tube into his stomach, and after becoming unresponsive a few days ago and leading the Doctors to believe he had "whole brain damage"... I'm now very pleased to say that Steve has managed to pull through the worst of it and is finally on the mend.

 

There's still a very long way to go, and we don't really know why this all happened to him... but at least his confusion is slowly starting to clear and he is able to talk with us a little, even if it's sometimes gibberish due to the delirium. Steve isn't strong enough to get out of bed yet and will need physio to help him walk again when that time comes, but hopefully soon. Thankfully his good friend Roland has managed to travel from Shanghai to be with him for a few days to assist his recovery and arrange video calls with me. Roland has been a God send for our family as he's "our man on the ground" communicating between the hospital, University and deciphering the Insurance details.

 

This is where Steve needs your help, if you are able to. Working for a large University, he was given Medical Insurance as part of his contract, but we've now found out that the cover isn't as good as initially thought and Steve now needs to pay 40% of all his medical costs. Bearing in mind he's spent the last 3 weeks in ICU at nearly £1000 per day, plus all the tests and medication he's been given, and allowing for an additional 20 days in hospital (at least), the amount being requested is now in the region of £15,000, which we sadly don't have available.

 

The next concern is that if these fees aren't paid ASAP, then he will literally be told by the hospital to leave, regardless of his condition!! That's how it works in China I'm afraid. The University are trying to keep the Insurance company sweet, but it's wearing thin now. Steve isn't aware that we're having to set this up for him, and I'm sure he'd be mortified as he's a proud man (and stubborn), but we don't know what else to do in his hour of need. He also isn't aware that the University have cancelled his contract, which means he now doesn't have accommodation or a Visa to stay in China, as these are all linked to the job. That's something else we're working hard to resolve before he leaves hospital. Steve won't want to be repatriated back to the UK, so all suggestions are welcome... and no, the British Embassy aren't able to help with anything either!

 

If you are able to donate, no matter how small you think it may be, it will still be so gratefully received and will help Steve on his road to recovery. I'm sure once he's fit and well again, he'll make a point of thanking everyone in turn. He's always been a generous person and happy to help anyone (even if he's fallen out with you at some point over the years!) so a BIG thank you in advance for coming to his aid, and please, please spread the word to anyone else who might know him and copy the link wherever you think it might help.

 

Thanking you very sincerely,

Sarah and the rest of Steve's family xx