The
family of a Mishawaka man is desperate for help after a travel disaster has grounded their father overseas, leaving him unable to receive treatment for a life-threatening illness.
Craig Weisweaver, 60, a longtime Mishawaka
resident, was visiting his daughter in Japan, when he suddenly fell ill from an unknown virus, explained his stepdaughter Jennifer Martin, of Chicago.
Weisweaver was at first treated at the Misawa Air Base in Japan, where his son-in-law is a Navy officer, but Martin said his condition continued to worsen and he suffered kidney and intestinal failure. The air base was not equipped to treat Weisweaver's condition and recommended a major hospital.
Weisweaver's condition is likely treatable if he can see a specialist in the United States, family members said, but the nightmare has become getting Weisweaver home.
Despite
financial assistance available from airlines, Weisweaver is too sick to take a commercial flight. Family members also can't find any angel flight operations that fly as far as Japan.
A private Med-evac flight for Weiswaver also would cost upward of $150,000, according to Martin.
Martin, a former Tribune employee, contacted the newspaper on Saturday with a plea for assistance from anyone in Michiana. At this point, Martin said the family's only hope is finding a Med-evac flight or someone who might offer to fly Weisweaver home in a private plane.
Without seeing a specialist soon, Weisweaver is likely to die in 72 hours or less, said his stepdaughter.
"We're just hoping there's some kind soul out there who could help bring him home," Martin said. Weisweaver, a Penn High School graduate, has lived in Michiana his whole life, and regularly attended Granger Community Church.
Anyone who might be able to help is urged to e-mail Martin at
craigsflight@aol.com.
South Bend Tribune: Critically ill Mishawaka man stuck in Japan
Critically ill Mishawaka, 
Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world - their medical facilities can't be that lacking.
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