Family rallies to save lightning survivor after life-threatening complications
Almost a decade after a lightning strike changed his life forever, Kelby Parker is facing another life-threatening blow. Help his family keep hope alive.
Kelby Parker has survived the unimaginable – but now, nearly a decade after being struck by lightning, he’s back in a life-or-death battle. And this time, his family is asking for help.
Just before Christmas in 2016, Kelby was hit by lightning. Against the odds, he pulled through. But in the years since, his health has remained fragile.
“We thought we were through the worst,” said his wife, Fiona. “But earlier this year, Kelby started showing signs of what we thought was a prostate issue. We saw doctors, followed their advice, and he even had surgery. But he wasn’t getting better, he was getting weaker.”
It wasn’t until early July that the true cause was discovered: a ruptured abscess in his colon that had caused severe sepsis throughout his body.
“On July 4, he was grey, in agony, and fading fast,” Fiona said. “By July 7, a gastroenterologist admitted him straight into the ICU for emergency, life-saving surgery.”
The operation was harrowing. Surgeons had to flush out his entire system and remove a section of his bowels. Kelby now has a colostomy bag – but more importantly, he has another chance at life. He remains in the ICU at Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital, where his condition is being closely monitored.
The family is immensely grateful for their medical cover, which allowed him to receive private treatment, but it only covered R85 000, a figure exhausted within the first 24 hours of his ICU stay.
Now, they are reaching out for help – not because they’ve done nothing, but because they’ve done everything they can, and it’s still not enough.
“No one expects to end up here. We’ve tried to do it all right, we had a medical plan, we followed the advice, and still, the costs are overwhelming. We’re not asking for pity. Just support – from one human being to another,” said Fiona.
Their daughter recently got engaged, and her one wish is for her father to walk her down the aisle.
“We still need him. He’s still fighting. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help keep him with us,” she said.
To support the family, visit their BackaBuddy campaign: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/life-saving-procedure-for-kelby-parker
