Bills mount for Kiwi in Chinese hospital
With recovery slow and medical bills mounting by the day, the family of a Kiwi man in hospital in China are desperate to get him home.
Former Masterton man Joseph Clark had a brain aneurysm while living in Shanghai late last year and though he has come out of a coma, he is still on ventilation. His father, Phil Clark, said the family were rocked by the devastating news in November as his son’s situation was ‘‘touch and go there for a while’’.
‘‘When it happened, they were getting ready to call family in for the worst news – it was that dire.’’
But his 44-year-old son had showed great strength; slowly, but surely, recovering week by week.
Clark said the medical treatment his son received at the Chinese hospital was excellent and the staff were doing everything they could to support Joseph through.
‘‘Doctors were ‘cautious but hopeful’ that he could make a full recovery. We need to remain as positive as we can, realising that it could be a long journey.’’
Fifteen weeks on, Joseph could respond to visitors and was off the ventilator for several hours a day, but had not yet regained the ability to talk.
Clark senior said the family had a tremendous amount of support from friends, fellow church members and employers in Shanghai. It had already cost more than $140,000 in medical fees which mounted up by about $1200 per day.
Clark said that as soon as Joseph was well enough, they wanted to start the process of returning him home.
It had been estimated it would cost about $350,000 to get him back to New Zealand by medevac.
Joseph grew up in Masterton and he and his family were due to return to Wairarapa permanently last year. But the onset of the Covid pandemic delayed plans.
They have lived in China for 14 years where they have made a home for themselves. Joseph’s wife, Jodie, and four children were at his bedside several days a week since the medical event.
Clark’s cousin, Tom Paku, had set up a Givealittle page to raise money to bring Joseph and the family home. ‘‘The last few months has been a stressful time for their wha¯ nau in New Zealand who have been unable to join Jodie in China due to travel restrictions. We’re asking for the community to tautoko us in this stressful time and #helpbringjoehome.’’