Local Willits man falls ill and straned in Mexico

By Nicole Stark

My father, Michael Stark, long time resident of Willits, found himself gravely ill while in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. A New Yorker in attitude, he lived and loved California but could not afford it any longer and moved to Puerto Vallarta 4 years ago on Social Security income.

In a matter of one week he fell ill and after contact attempts from the family was found bed ridden and unable to move in his humble Puerto Vallarta apartment. He was unable to move, dehydrated, with bruises, and in pain. He was released the same day after a visit to the free/regional hospital where IV was provided.

During the next 48 hours, family arranged for an on-call doctor visit, who diagnosed Michael with sepsis (widespread infection), aortic aneurysm, leg needs amputation, “necropsia” of colon…all in one go. After much deliberation, the family gathered $22,000 US dollars to fund an emergency airlift ambulance that would take him back home to get care. Michael fought like a champ and is now at Providence St. Joseph’s in Burbank, California, not without having to rack up $50,000 cold hard US dollars in hospital bills in Mexico which said Michael would not sustain the airlift. Michael proved them wrong.

Some may call Michael eccentric and they wouldn’t be wrong. He is a free spirit, who loves to chat, make art, and discuss politics and world events. He also has struggled with dyslexia and high functioning autism despite his high levels of intelligence. These difficulties landed Michael with a blue collar job as a carpenter and poor planning skills as he found it easier to “live in the moment.” As a carpenter he did not accumulate a pension or a retirement fund and since retirement he has been living solely off social security.

This fight isn’t over. This fight is not unique. Many Americans can’t afford to live in the land of the free. Blue collar workers, starving artists, small business owners to name a few struggle to make a living. His only child, Nicole Stark, is a public school Special Education teacher, for students with a variety of learning challenges such as her father, Michael, experiences. The family is doing the best they can but also ask for any support via the Go Fund Me platform: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-michael-recover-from-surgery-and-expenses

 

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