After Two Strokes, Please Help Me to Reunite My Family.
My name is Gary Barnett, and I’m a disabled British citizen living in Chelmsford, Essex. After suffering two life-changing ischemic strokes (caused by medication prescribed by a doctor while I was working in Thailand), I had to return to the UK in 2023, leaving my wife and daughter behind. This situation has caused immense stress and led to depression. I now use a wheelchair full-time, and have lost the use of my dominant left side. I live with multiple health conditions, including arthritis, hypertension, and diabetes. I also suffer from bladder problems that limit my ability to go out. Additionally, I need two knee replacements if I ever attempt to walk again.
Before my return, my wife and daughter were my full-time caregivers. Their love and support meant everything to me and provided me with a degree of independence. With their help, I could return to my job teaching English to Thai children from a wheelchair. However, my school tired of me and after 12 years of loyal service, my contract ended abruptly, leaving me without an income or funds to renew my marriage visa. I receive care three times a day from professional caregivers, but my emotional health has deteriorated significantly. I am living alone, feeling isolated, and struggling to cope without my family. I have experienced numerous falls, resulting in the loss of my front teeth twice.
Reuniting my family isn’t just an emotional necessity; it is also a practical one. Their presence in England would restore my dignity and independence, and it would save the care system thousands of pounds each year. Unfortunately, I was unable to initiate the process for them to join me when I first returned to the UK because I was homeless, living in a Travelodge, and unable to accommodate them.
Despite these challenges, I haven’t given up on helping others. Through my website, www.wheelchairaccessible.net, I maintain a blog advocating for the inclusion of wheelchair users, even while navigating my daily challenges. I believe that no one should be left behind, and everyone deserves to live equally. Writing this blog provides me with a small sense of self-worth.
But I can't do this alone anymore. I need your help to bring my family back to me. Any help you can provide to bring my family to me would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Gary