Patient set to return from Cuba nightmare

ANXIOUS supporters of a Rugby man stuck in an 'awful' Cuban hospital are
hoping for his imminent return.

As reported in last week's Advertiser, Stephen O'Neill, of Railway
Terrace, suffered a heart attack while holidaying last month.

It's hoped the 41-year-old will now be back home by Saturday.
His carer, Sue Hartland, of Ambleside, Brownsover, said: "It's been a
nightmare for us. But he is looking forward to coming home and we just
want him back."

The 41-year-old - who suffers from Friedreich Attaxia, an inherited
condition which attacks the nervous system - took the holiday last month.

After previous trips to Central America, wheelchair-bound Stephen
decided to go to Cuba with Sue and her husband Graeme.

However, just days into the break, Stephen - who had earlier complained
of feeling unwell - was found 'screaming for help' in his bed.

Sue - who has cared for him for seven years - took him to hospital close
to Holguin, where they were staying.

She said: "There was blood and urine in the wards and graffiti
everywhere. If someone had sent your loved one into a hospital like
that, you would get them out there and then. It was awful - seeing him
linked up to tubes in a hospital you wouldn't put your dog in."

After contacting his parents, the couple then made sure he could recover
in an intensive care unit before returning home themselves.

Travel company representatives are in regular contact with Stephen, who
is now recuperating.

Meanwhile, his father Pat O'Neill said the family were going through
'hell' waiting for him to return safely.

As reported last week, Mr. O'Neill and his wife Coral claim they face
bills totalling thousands of pounds after it was revealed Stephen had no
insurance.

Mr. O'Neill and Mrs. Hartland thanked everyone helping the efforts to
get Stephen back.

Last Updated: 24 May 2007

http://www.rugbyreviewtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2902327