The son of Noongar woman Rosalind Connaughton who suffered a stroke while on a family holiday in Bali says she needs urgent surgery they can't afford.
"They said she had an aneurysm and she had a stroke because of that aneurysm exploded,” her son, who wanted to be known just as Anthony, told NITV News.
He said his mother was in a coma for two days, and has now relocated from the private Siloam International Hospital to another hospital in Bali.
National Indigenous Critical Response Service is helping the family raise the $20,000 needed to cover brain surgery.
Ms Connaughton has no travel insurance, and the family would not have been able to afford the more expensive ambulance flight home even if she had been well enough to make the trip.
Perth grandmother Rosalind Connaughton suffered a stroke in Bali. Source: Facebook
“We are turning to all the First Nations services and organisations in Perth to give this mum a shot at life,” Gerry Georgatos, National Coordinator of the National Indigenous Critical Response Service said in a statement.
“We’ve contacted the Australian Government – DFAT – and the Australian Embassy in Bali has made contact with the family, providing an interpreter and in-person support but cannot contribute to the costs for surgery nor the stay in the hospital.”
A DFAT spokesperson has confirmed to NITV News the department is providing consular assistance.
A number of Perth based Indigenous organisations have donated to the cause including Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service, Ngalla Maya Aboriginal Corporation, Moorditj Koort and Wungening.
More than $6,000 has been raised by these First Nations organisations.
“I really appreciate [all the contributions so far], if they’re thinking about helping me and my family would really appreciate it, we’d be really thankful, we would be able to thank you enough,” Anthony said.
“We’ve tried our hardest,” he said.
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