Family Stranded in Gran Canaria After Daughter Suffers Stroke
An Ellesmere Port family is facing an unimaginable ordeal after their daughter, Melanie Mansfield, suffered a stroke while on holiday in Fuerteventura, leaving them stranded in Gran Canaria. The Mansfield family, consisting of parents Catherine and Steven, had traveled to the Canary Islands with a group of friends to celebrate birthdays and enjoy a week of relaxation. However, their vacation took a dramatic turn when Melanie, 43, suddenly fell ill.
The Incident
The trouble began when Melanie, who has Down’s syndrome but is generally independent, went to a local shop. When she returned to the pool area about 20 minutes later, her family noticed something was wrong. Steven, 67, recounted the moment: “She started looking around as if she wasn’t sure where we were. We noticed when we called her she wasn’t responding, and when my son went towards her, he noticed that the right side of her mouth was dropping down.” This alarming sign prompted immediate concern.
The resort’s medical staff quickly called for an ambulance, and Melanie was transported to a local hospital. After a thorough examination, doctors confirmed that she had suffered a stroke and required urgent medical evacuation to a larger facility in Gran Canaria. “About two hours later, she was in a helicopter on the way to Gran Canaria,” Steven recalled.
Medical Challenges
Upon arrival in Gran Canaria, the situation worsened. Doctors informed Steven and Catherine that Melanie had also experienced a bleed on her brain, necessitating surgery to aid her recovery. “For the first two or three days, I could feel the anxiety in the pit of my stomach because we just didn’t know what was happening,” Steven shared. The language barrier added to their stress, as they struggled to communicate with medical staff and received conflicting information from various doctors.
Initially placed in a medically induced coma, Melanie’s condition has been closely monitored. The family has been told that while there is a chance she may wake up, there is also the possibility that she may not. “We’ve been trying to do anything that could spark something to bring her around and help her recover,” Steven said, as they visit the hospital daily to hold her hand and play her favorite music.
The Strain of Being Stranded
Catherine, 68, expressed the emotional and physical toll this situation has taken on them. “We’re very tired. The bed in the apartment we’re currently in isn’t the best, and we’re not sleeping well because we don’t know what’s going on,” she said. Their daily routine consists of spending hours at the hospital, followed by brief periods of rest in their apartment.
The couple has been in Gran Canaria since June 1, and their situation has been complicated by issues with their travel insurance. After notifying the insurance company, they learned of an anomaly in Melanie’s medical records that has prevented them from receiving advance payments. “We haven’t got any dispute with the insurance company, but we’ve been told the insurance will only cover 97.2% of costs,” Steven explained. This means they may have to cover a significant portion of the medical evacuation back to the UK, which could cost between £25,000 and £40,000.
Travel Complications
Adding to their woes, the couple has faced challenges with their travel arrangements. Jet2, the airline they booked with, informed them that since they did not fly to Gran Canaria for their holiday, they could not provide a flight back. They were advised that they could still use their return flights from Fuerteventura, but would incur a fine for changing their travel plans.
Catherine reflected on their future, saying, “We’ve been talking over the last few years about retiring and putting some money aside. Obviously, everything that has happened has put us on the back foot with our plans.” Despite the uncertainty, the couple remains focused on Melanie’s recovery, prioritizing her health above all else.
Community Support
In light of their situation, a GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the Mansfield family with the mounting medical and travel expenses. A spokesperson for Jet2 expressed their sympathy for the family and confirmed that they are doing everything possible to support them during this difficult time.
As the Mansfield family navigates this challenging chapter, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of community support in times of crisis.
