Help Abby fight and get home!!

Hi Sophie: very sorry to hear that Abbie passed away after her valiant fight. My thoughts are with you at this time and condolences to you and your family. You have conducted yourself incredibly well through all of this and I really feel sorry for the people who felt the need to post negative comments about your situation. Take care and all the best for the future.

Richard, Sophie & Toby,

Our sincere condolences. Abbey put up one hell for fight as expected from a true Kiwi. We are so proud of all of you, showing the same strengths and characteristics of your wife and mother demonstrating class and dignity beyond your years,in how you have coped in such difficult circumstances.

The generosity of people who donated, to this givealittle campaign , has been amazing and truly inspirational, thank you to everyone of you.

All our love

Phil, Marie and family

On behalf of myself Abby’s mum and her brother Oliver I would like to thank all the people who donated from around the world to my daughters fund she will be sadly missed and I am thankful that I got see her in Bali and could say goodbye to her

I am incredibly sad to hear the news about the loss of your Mum, (and wife) I so was grateful to be able to help toward your Mum's care but am so sad that we didn't get the outcome we were all hoping for.

I want you all to know that you're in the hearts of many.

Arohanui,

Lisa.

My deepest sympathy, words are not enough to express that sadness you are feeling. All the very best as you navigate your way through this sad time. Rest in peace Abby, you have a raised an amazing family.

Terribly sad to hear the news of your Mum's passing. I hope all the naysayers and negative commentators take a good hard look at themselves as they should feel absolutely disgraced with their behaviour. Hopefully they never find themselves in a similar position, or needing the help of a stranger. I think the only thing you did wrong was underestimate the generosity of the average NZer who was more than happy to "give a little" in a time of need no matter what the situation was with the insurance. Rest in Peace.

Hi Sophie, I know I speak for all NZ'ers when I say how incredibly sad it was to hear about your mum's passing. Please accept my condolences. Your mother would have been incredibly proud of you all. May you find comfort in the knowledge she is no longer suffering, and I'm sure she will continue to watch over her babies from up high. She was lucky to be loved so well :)

Dearest Sophie and Family,

My heart goes out to you all. I am so sorry Abby lost her fight. She fought so bravely and you did all you could do to try to help her.

I just want to say you must take all the donations with love. People donate without expectations. That is, no matter what the money ends up being spent on, we know it will help your family in a traumatic time of need. No explanations or accounting is necessary.

My thoughts and prayers are with you now, as you take time out to grieve.

Love from Liz

Hi Sophie,

Please please ignore the latest comments from Joanne who is not only inhumane but in denial of the last few weeks when you have struggled so hard to do all you can to help Abby. You have been so open and honest all along whilst raising money for her recovery.

Those 4359 kiwis- including other nationals like myself, have given willingly and lovingly to help Abby and you all..

We all hope she has a comfortable, safe trip home and can start responding to those who love and surround her at home.

All my love,

Julita xxx

Hi Sophie. Great news today. I really hope you can get your mum home very soon now. Maybe someone here needs to put their glasses on and have a good read of the FACTS that you have been posting 😡 Best wishes. Can't wait to read that she is safely home. Take care 💜💖

This all sounds really dodgy to me.....if there really is a travel insurer involved then surely you would disclose who they are because of how badly you have allegedly been treated by them?! There seems to be so many inconsistencies with this story ....dates, costs. But the thing that blows me away is that there are so many gullible and naive kiwis out there......4359 of them!!

Dear Sophie, Your latest update is so encouraging. Hope the journey back home will happen soon. All the very best to all of you. You have done well supporting your mum the way you have, and still are. She will be so proud. Please know, we lift you and your family up in our prayers. Stay the course. All will be well.

Wow Sophie. You are a champion!

You embody the Kiwi qualities we all aspire to have articulate, caring and strong.

The whole of NZ should be so proud of you!

Hi Sophie. My daughter is flying to Nusa Dua from Sydney tomorrow for two weeks. I think of you constantly and am in awe of your diplomacy in handling this massively difficult and distressing situation. As the rational people have said It could happen to any one of us. With much love and more hugs. Lyndal

Sophie don't worry about any negative media or comments just concentrate on getting your mum home. I can't even imagine the stress you and your family are under without having to feel the need to keep justifying things to the negative people with nothing better to do. xxxx

Hi Sophie,

I just read your latest message.

Thank you for the time you took to inform us and providing extra clarity. I value how much it is costing you to take this time and effort. I am sorry to hear how much trouble this is creating for you and money in those instances are far from being of any importance if not only to get the administrative part of the situation being solved. I am happy that i could help you a little and I suppose that everyone who did is kind of feeling the same. Not much more we can do but I hope wish you all the best for your mum and your family. Seb

Sophie

I have just read my insurance poilcy whihc we took out to go to AUstralia in June this year from the same company as yours and I know when I took mine out that I was not asked ANY questions at all and I was surprised as I am 65 and my husband is 71.....and we have heaps of preexistings ....I think there has been a major slip up by the company and lets just get you Dear Mum home and well and address other stuff IF we feel like it sleep tight and loving thoughts Jacquie and Geoff

Hi Sophie,I am so sorry you have had to deal with negative, accusing people at this most stressful time. My thoughts are with you, your Mum and the rest of your family.Stay strong and remember we are all behind you

Hi Sophie, our hearts go out to you & your family. You are handling the situation superbly, especially those pathetic insurance queries.

Hold strong and try to ignore the negative idiots out there and with any luck karma may come there way.

Again our thoughts are with you and your family.

I've kept quite up until now but after the events of the past couple of days feel I really want to comment. I am disgusted at some peoples obsession with the insurance company, let it go people!! So what a mistake was made in the declarations, who here has never made a mistake? I am a travel agent believe me it happens way too often and even unintentionally it could happen to you too. This story is actually not about the insurance company it is about a family who despite thinking they had taken the right precautions have found themselves in a terrible situation that most of us can only have nightmares about. Those of us that have donated have done so from the bottom of our hearts and need no further explanations. To the Hartley Family, we are Cambridge locals with a long connection to the football club and have been watching your story closely praying for some good news. You do not need to justify anything forget all the small minded people just after digging dirt and trolling, concentrate on what is really important here - you and your Mum/Wife, those of us that genuinely want to support you only want one piece of news and that's good news - we look forward to seeing you all at the club next year xx

This is not a question.

Our money was given freely for you to use on what ever you need to pay for your mother's medical bills. We are also holding her up in prayer. Please don't listen to those people who have nothing better to do but criticise.

You are a beautiful person doing a wonderful job. Your mum will be very proud of you.

Take care

Leah

Morning Sophie, Please be assured we send our love and best wishes to your family as do so many thousands of KIWIS. The situation that Simon Bridges took advantage of as a political opportunity was just that. Many people do not know how this page works and that the funds raised are not paid out by GIVEALITTLE till the 20th of the month following the fundraising thus meaning your Mum could not be brought home for yet another month.......not an option. SO SOMEONE SENSIBLE IN TAURANGA has underwritten or forward funded the costs for Abby till the GIVEALTTLE funds are released. From my experience the hospital will need the bill paid BEFORE Abby can leave there..... hope this clarifies things for some of the narly people. YOU and YOUR FAMILY are doing an amazing huge massive job that no one would want to HAVE TO ........and unfortunately its have to and need to do.......please draw strength from the huge love so many are sending you. You are a family to be proud of. Much love Geoff and Jacquie

Hi Sophie,

I just want to take my hat off to you and your family. I can't even think to imagine how you all must be feeling and going through. Your doing such an incredible job and I take my hat off to you. I hope your mum shows signs of improvement and she can be back home in nz Dr's hands very soon. Thank so very much for keeping this page updated.

Ignore the trolls they don't have a nice bone in their body if they can show a sign of any support. Your responses are great by the way..very calm and professional. Xx

Hi Sophie,

It is to late for me to give you a donation as I have only just learned about your Mum after contacting the reporter.

I am a kiwi living in Thailand. From Turangi.

I had a the same thing happen to me last May.

I Cover Insurance paid for me.

I wish you could go public as to the name of the insurance company.

I can only wish your Mum and and family all the very best.

See Sophie. Phil has written exactly what 99.999% of us are thinking. You’re amazing.

02/09/2018 by Phil

Sophie

You and the family have shown amazing relisilance, strength, compassion, and understanding, during which is undoubtedly the most stressful and challenging time of your life’s. Your dignity and class in dealing with the occasional negativity of some has been exemplary. You are absolutely right in focusing on the imeadiate and medium term challenges of getting Mum home along her ongoing medical needs and care when she returns home, ( “pick your battles “ )

Our love and thoughts are with you all, keep up the fantastic job you are are all doing.

Phil & Marie

I cant believe the comments a couple of people have made on here. Namely Tony and another lady about a week ago. As if you need to be attacked when you're trying to deal with something awful like this!!! Your responses were alot nicer than mine would have been.

Please give your dad mine and Adam's love. (Adam uses him for the houses he builds). Xx

Sophie! Well said. What a rude person

You don't need to re-open this page. You sought help from the public and your expectations have been well exceeded by $240k incl ur father and brother free accommodation. Be humble, be decent, be grateful and be true to yourselves. Greed and profit making is not what this page is for. I hope your family give generously to others in future. Btw there's a young lad just flown back to Perth via medivac (his parents paid for!) whom had an accident in Bali and has had his leg amputed. It would be nice if you donated something to their family via GOFUNDME. Giving makes a nicer person than just taking. You know that from your experience just now.

Hi Sophie wishing you and your family all the best and I know many people feel there have been negative comments however I think people are just trying to help when they say take on the travel insurance company. I saw that you put a comment regarding courts etc. All you need to do is lodge a formal complaint and go through the Ombudsman which is free. You could sign over your case to someone that can act on your behalf. As I have worked on many cases against insurers in the past I would be willing to help as I am sure there would be many more that would help your family to ensure the travel insurer does not get away with this. They should be exposed and challenged to prevent others from going through all the stress and worry that you are. Hope you all come home soon.

I wish you would reopen your donations. I think people should be able to give until they don't want to give anymore. You may have reached your original goal, BUT what if your mum has to stay longer, what about the living/daily expenses for your family in Bali while you wait to bring your mother back, what about the expenses you will incur once back in NZ and you have to take time off for your mum? There are so many what ifs involved with your current situation, I think the goal should be OPEN and people should just decide themselves if they want to give or not, regardless. If people are questioning why you have left donations open then I think they really don't understand the stress and growing costs this kind of situation involves, and they really don't understand what its like to be in your shoes. I would donate to another proper holiday for your parents once your mother is well again too! I think alot of others would too.

PLEASE REOPEN THE DONATIONS AND LEAVE THE GOAL AMOUNT OPEN.

Hi Sophie

No Question. Just sending a hug to help a little with all the unnecessary questions you are being hassled with. Luv Lyndal

Sophie I along with everyone whose has donated to help your family would totally agree with Sarah.

Continue to do the fabulous work that you are. Can only imagine how overwhelming this situation must be for you. Your family have handled it and your give a little page incredibly well.

Sophie, Thanks for your reply thrilled to hear that your Mum is COMING HOME!!!! to much text to put on this page please follow this link loving thoughts Jacquie

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0r883opmhzcws6v/Evac%20aircraft.txt?dl=0

Hi Sophie, firstly you are doing a fantastic job looking after your mother in these trying circumstances. We have donated some money to this page but would like to help further. We own the Aquarius Motor Inn on Ulster St in Hamilton and would like to offer you a few nights of accommodation for extended family or friends that will come to visit your mum and the family. If this can be of help please reach out to us through our website. Thanks Fahad and Melanie

Hi Sophie

I just wanted to say please don't let it upset you or take it to heart re these people giving you grief about fighting the insurance company or if there happen to be a few mistakes in your posting. Anyone with a heart would look at your situation and send only love and respect for the way you and your brother are supporting your mum and dad at the moment. Whenever these unhelpful comments come through please just look at the number of people who have donated and know that there is a huge number of people wanting only the best outcome for your mum first and foremost. I never post messages on these sites but I feel so strongly about this that I wanted to reach out and let you know. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to be here keeping the family business going while the rest of your family is in Bali. For people to suggest you add more to your plate at this time is ridiculous, insensitive and makes me feel so angry. Sending you a massive hug, and a huge amount of support for all that you are doing. Sincerely, Serah

Hello Sophie

We Just went to make a donation but see the page is closed however we are still happy to make a small donation please let me know if it is possible

Andrea Deane

What a wonderful strong young woman you are Sophie. Sending positive vibes for Abby, family and friends.

Hi sophie.

Your prime concern is your Mother,understandable but!!!

Neither you or your family appear to be the slightest bit interested in fighting the Insurance company.I see that one professional has offered you assistance and you have said that you MAY contact him,I find that this word MAY is ridiculous to say the least.Many have given thousands of $$$ and my feeling is that you and your family are obligated to fight the insurance company to the bitter end as they are at fault from what I see,any $$$ paid by the Insurance Company can then be paid over to Givealittle to help others in the same or similar situation.

As well pe existing twisted bowel is absolute rubbish,anyone can get a twisted bowel at anytime and it is certainly not pre existing.My wife and I have been through the twisted bowel thing and our Surgeon categorically stated that a twisted Bowel cannot be classed as pre existing and he gave us a written statement to this effect,you need to follow this up and take the insurance company to task,end of story

How can the condition be pre-existing if no one knew it existed prior to travel?

Peter

Graham Brimble

19 hrs ·

You need to get assistance and fight the Insurance company.There are organisation that will fight with you and win.Preexisting is only preexisting if you're being treated for that medical issue at the time of travel,other than that it is not preexisting,get help to fight and you might very well win,we know people who have taken these insurance people on,.Insurance companies employ people to find holes in your claim and make it very difficult if they can.You need medical advice and someone who knows how to take the Insurance company to task.

Hi, I think you need to relook at the information you have provided and update it so that it is correct. You state that your mother has been in a Bali hospital since 1st August, you then later state that they arrived in Bali on holiday on the 9th of August, however you also state on the 8th August you received an updated bill of NZD $35,000.00. The dates are all over the show and are in contradiction of each other. This raises credibility issues.

Sophie, how are you organising to get your Mum home, and, do you have help to do this as it is a mammoth task. Will you take a medical team from NZ and use a NZ private airline service and do you have help to get this coordinated. Great to bring NZers together to assist your family at this time .....thank you for your and your families continued bravery. Loving thoughts Jacquie and Geoff

Hi family,

My husband is a pathologist at Pathlab in Hamilton, and can not believe the sidestep that your insurance company is attempting to make. His professional medical opinion (even without having seen you mum’s charts) is:

“Torsion of the small intestine is a well recognised cause of an acute abdominal crisis, and can not be confused as pre existing condition. It may be a complication of an internal hernia or adhesions, which hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders will have within their abdomen, and would never know about. The adhesions or internal hernia could be interpreted as a pre existing condition, but the acute twisting of the bowel with loss of blood supply to a segment that then “died” is an acute event that in my opinion, should be covered by any responsible insurer.”

Should your family, or a lawyer like to have any further discussion with him about this, he would be happy to help with your case at no cost to you at all. He can be contacted by email at ian.beer@pathlab.co.nz, or through me on mobile number 0220 607 934.

Regards,

Danielle Schaad

Hi Sophie I take it you were at BIMC in Nusa Dua. Can you possibly asked that because the account is so high can they at least give you a kitas rate. Pronounced Ke-Tas. This is a rate given to people who have a visa to work in Indonesia. It may work as i have heard of it being done in the past. And also try with the hospital you are at now. (Sunglah or Bali Royal at a guess) Go to the top and plead and don't take no for an answer. Dam I wish I were there. I would go and do it for you. I lived in Bali for 15 years and have just moved on. All the best and i hope everything works out with your Mother.

I wish you all the very best for your Mum's recovery. It is a real shame this govt of ours cannot see we need to help a Kiwi tax payer in need, But they don't mind helping endless refugees and others wanting to come here. I would rather we helped your Mum first. NZ is thinking of you. All the best.

Hi Sophie,

All NZ really hopes your mum can pull through and it’s heartbreaking to hear of the terrible situation you’re in. Have you considered a medical evacuation to Darwin Australia? You have probably gone over all this already but after reading your story in the news I just wanted to raise this option in case you hadn’t thought of it. Darwin has an excellent hospital, is much closer than NZ and is accustomed to receiving evacuees from South East Asia. New Zealanders receive reciprocal Medicare cover while in Australia - this normally doesn’t cover “care planned before you got to Australia” but given your circumstances you could discuss this in advance with the Australian government; and you could certainly argue that any care you end up receiving there was “medically necessary” and wasn’t planned prior. It would certainly be a much shorter and safer flight (and cheaper given you’re paying for your own air ambulance), and therefore give your mum the best chance. If you can indeed access free public healthcare there it will also make your overall bill much cheaper. If at worst you get a healthcare bill from Australia too then there’s always Givealittle :) There are a number of Australia-based air ambulance services which can retrieve from Bali and which have websites easily found with a simple Google search. Just a thought. Our prayers are with you.

Hi Sophie and Family, further to my suggestion yesterday I wish to comment further as this seems to be the only way to bring this to NZ media attention.

I and I am sure many other caring New Zealanders absolutely are disgusted that this government is happy to let your Mum's health deteriorate which willl get to the stage where she may not be evacuated easily. Every day counts. I am imploring the media to contact Mr Peters again and keep on the case. The RNZAF would easily be able to evacuate you with some planning and the expert medical assistance required could be coordinated from either Auckland or Waikato Hospitals. If Ms Ardern or Mr Peters found themselves in this situation, if it was a family member of theirs or of any other MP who was desperately ill overseas I am sure action would be provided immediately! As for the insurance company you are dispicable. You could at least provide partial financial assistance.

Sophie and family, thinking of you all, hopefully our Prime Minister and MPs may read this and feel some compassion.

Request urgent government assistance for an RNZAF med evac for you all, you need to get your Mum home. Good luck

Hi Sophie,I wondered if you thought about asking the nz navy or army if they could bring your mum home.

Hi Sophie - are you able to extend the limit on your give a little page, as to how much money you are fundraising for? At first glance it looks like you have exceeded the amount of money you need to raise, which may mislead people to think you don't need more and they may not read the need for more funds. Can you extend the max limit? Hoping you can get mum home soon - Kia Kaha

Hi Sophie and family. I am so sorry to hear about your mother. How dreadful for you all. I am from NZ and live in Bali. I would like to offer some help, we also have spare guest bedrooms you would be welcome to use during your stay here.

Please email me on sarahkelt@mac.com if you would like more details. Wishing your mother a speedy recovery. Sarah

Hi Sophie you're doing fantastically well for your Mother with the Givealittle site.

Don't stress about the awkward questions. Most of us just want your mum to get well and come home.

I would like all those who have made a donation to do it again. Cheers to everyone we can get you home. I am going to donate again. Not as much but will go another round.

Regards to your Mum you and the family.

Hi sophie

You should fight this with the insurance company a d take someone's offer to help. I hope your mum gets better soon as I know how helpless one can feel. Please don't just accept what insurers are telling you as they are not always right :) hopefully you can all come home soon.

Hi sophie, all is fine with me now. I hope you dont mind but I shared the article on ards support group i belong to on facebook. It has really helped me and thought i would let you know that there will be people internationally praying and sending healing thoughts to your mum and your family. If you want to look at the group it's called ARDS support page for survivors and families of victims - information page

Hi sophie

Plenty of people have donated out of the kindness of their hearts and I see plenty have asked about why insurers did not pay out. I feel this question should be answered as it does make a person wonder if there was actually insurance in the first place. I feel it is wrong to ignore all these requests but happily take the.money?

Hi guys,

I have been through a similar situation, all be it in NZ and know how hard ARDS is to deal with and have talked in depth with my loved ones about their experience while I was in the coma. If you need to talk feel free to contact me I will be thinking of all of you.

hi there,

i am also an insurance broker and have spent a few years in claims dealing with these kinds of things, if you need any help please contact me :)

It sounds like your Mum may have had a pre existing condition and if insurance company weren’t told at the time of buy policy they have the right not to cover her unfortunately.

Wishing you all the best for your Mum x

Hi Sophie,

I understand travel insurance policies very well being an insurance broker. If you would like someone to re-look at this please get in touch.

Best wishes.

I have just returned from Bali with an Aquired Brain Injury as a result of treatment there(BIMC Hospital Kuta) and ALLIANZ refused our claim of $28500 leaving us to raise the money ourselves. My heart goes out to you it truly does. I pray mum will recover fully and you can bring her safely home. Our governments at times like this are useless as you will know but keep fighting the insurance company, we are through the Ombudsman and the Royal Commission currently being held in Australia. My please PM me on Facebook if we can help, we have been to hell and back, God bless.

I am very keen on knowing who the insurance company is and why they have refused. As this can happen to any of us, it astounds me that the insurance company is unwilling to front up.

Which insurance company was it? It could lose them customers if people know.

Hi there it needs to be explained why the insurance company won't cover costs, and who the Insurance company is, so people know not to get insurance through them.

Which insurance company was it? It could lose them customers if people know.

Hi, could you give more detail about why insurance was denied? It could help others avoid the same problem in the future.

Hi, why did medical insurance refuse cover?