*Pleas Help* B2 visa holder can still enter USA if she had stroke and can't talk and on wheelchair ?

[Boiler 47,514]

1 hour ago, AshMarty said:

My father had a stroke two years ago and has speech difficulty and wheelchair bound now. I am actually a physical therapist that works with people in the Neuro field. My father has had consistent follow ups with his Neurologist and Rehab Team since the stroke. He has also had two follow up surgeries to prevent further complications and strokes. 

 

This would be a very risky situation because of the follow ups usually required and complications that come with stroke, especially someone that has recently had a severe stroke with lasting complications. If they are planning on coming for any period of time I would make sure they have medical plan in place (doctors and medical costs covered). Research shows chances of a second stroke within a year are fairly high which is why follow ups are so important. 

 

Not to mention complications with DVTs and travel with medically complex conditions and people that are movement impaired. I would have a serious conversion with a Rehab team/medical team about international travel at this stage of her recovery. I hope your mom continues to make a good recovery. It took 2 years for my father to start speaking in sentences again. Its a very difficult journey and I hope the best for your mother. 

Begs the question is someone with a Stroke should be flying at all?

 

My Dad had a mini one, now he would not but not sure if that was a Medical requirement.

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

From what I understand, almost all stroke insurance requires a medical clearance to fly in order to be covered. 

10 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Begs the question is someone with a Stroke should be flying at all?

 

Hopefully OP’s family is following all these steps.

Edited January 9, 2018 by SusieQQQ

[AshMarty 360]

Just now, Boiler said:

Begs the question is someone with a Stroke should be flying at all?

 

My Dad had a mini one, now he would not but not sure if that was a Medical requirement.

As a therapist I do often teach people with different medical diagnoses how to travel and what to do and ask for when traveling. I always recommend shorter domestic trips to my patients for their first trip when they are medically stable enough to travel. 

 

My mother and father are actually planning their first trip since his stroke (he is 2.5 years out) but his trip will be domestic to visit friends (and we know this house is fully accessible to my father) and they are very comfortable with his condition. He has also been working on transfers into and out of his wheelchair and walking short distances in his therapies in anticipation of this short trip. I personally have researched hospitals my father is near (he is a disable veteran and I know there are VA hospitals we can get care from where he is going). My mother is a nurse who will be traveling with him. 

 

As a therapist I would advise against international travel with someone not yet medically stable or is still requiring frequent medical follow-ups. I have had a lot of patients that have developed wounds from sitting too long on airplanes/cars during travel, get infections (UTIs frequently), and developed DVT from the long bouts of travel. With communication being a barrier with stroke because of aphasia I would be nervous she would not be able to communicate discomfort or other issues with the lengthy travel which easily can lead to secondary complications that  would be managed in a foreign country and that can become very expensive and life threatening.  

[Boiler 47,514]

6 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

From what I understand, almost all stroke insurance requires a medical clearance to fly in order to be covered. 

Hopefully OP’s family is following all these steps.

Generally speaking any travel against MEdical advice would invalidate Insurance.

[SusieQQQ 11,588]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Generally speaking any travel against MEdical advice would invalidate Insurance.

Some people just wouldn’t seek out the medical advice, this ensures that they do -

[Cathi 5,849]

Why put her life in jeopardy by putting her on a plane for such a long flight? She is not medically in any condition to fly, with or without an escort.

[CEE53147 559]

She can be denied entry especially if it appears she is a high probability of overstay for care by family or for use of emergency medicaid for care.

 

If you do bring her, purchase medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance.

[JRF 117]

10 hours ago, Boiler said:

I am intrigued about Travel Insurance, do come back and update.

Along with the rates...if even available.  

[Boiler 47,514]

6 minutes ago, JRF said:

Along with the rates...if even available.  

Will not be cheap.

[JFH 12,195]

5 hours ago, SusieQQQ said:

That’s assuming the travel insurance covers stroke victims.

I'm a stroke survivor and have always been able to get insurance. At a hefty price but still...

 

I recall a passenger of ours in the U.K. who had advanced cancer and his dying wish was to take a cruise around the Caribbean. The cruise and flights cost the equivalent of $7000 for him and his wife. The travel insurance quoted was over $40,000. 

[Boiler 47,514]

1 minute ago, JFH said:

I'm a stroke survivor and have always been able to get insurance. At a hefty price but still...

 

I recall a passenger of ours in the U.K. who had advanced cancer and his dying wish was to take a cruise around the Caribbean. The cruise and flights cost the equivalent of $7000 for him and his wife. The travel insurance quoted was over $40,000. 

My Mums Insurance was about the price of the flights.

[JFH 12,195]

4 hours ago, Boiler said:

Begs the question is someone with a Stroke should be flying at all?

 

My Dad had a mini one, now he would not but not sure if that was a Medical requirement.

I had a full stroke at 22 and have had 4 mini ones since. I work for an airline. Although I no longer fly regularly, I was flying weekly in my 30s. 

[Boiler 47,514]

My Dad was a lot older. Seems to be that at that age often many things are inter connected.

[AshMarty 360]

A diagnoses like a stroke can affect people very differently and leave each person with different impairments or none at all. It would be best for OP to discuss her mother’s current medical condition with her medical/rehab team. From her brief discription it seems her mother has some severe impairments that would complicate travel. Her medical team would likely be able to give her some guidance on forgein travel at this point in her recovery. 

 

I know these situations are often discussed with our patients and each circumstance and recommendation is different for each patient.