The emergency began when Stew Hammer and his husband, Alfredo Lanier were playing pickleball. Stew tripped on something, fell, and landed on his right hip, letting out a scream. Alfredo tried to help him up but lifting 180 pounds of dead weight is close to impossible, particularly when the weight lets out a scream every time you try to move it. Alfredo next called SEETS, a private ambulance service. In a few minutes, an ambulance arrived, and Stew was loaded onto it. Alfredo followed in their truck. It was confirmed later that evening, Stew had a hip fracture.
Knowing that SkyMed would transport Stew to the States for surgery, the next day Alfredo contacted SkyMed Member Services. SkyMed arranged an air evacuation to the States and for an ambulance to transport them from the hospital to the airport. They arrived at Queretaro Airport later that day where a doctor and a paramedic were waiting to accompany them. After landing in San Antonio, Texas, they were taken by ambulance to the Baptist Orthopedic Hospital where Stew had surgery the next day. Later when they returned to Mexico, their commercial flight was arranged and paid for by SkyMed. Alfredo says, “We were left astonished at how well everything all worked out.”
How did you find out about SkyMed and why did you choose SkyMed? “Five years after we moved to San Miguel, around the time we turned 65 and eligible for Medicare,” says Alfredo, “Stew and I bought SkyMed’s medical evacuation that promised to fly us back to the U.S. in case of a major emergency. The mere logistics of a medical evacuation make it seem far-fetched, considering the many pieces that must fall into place. Yet Stew’s evacuation proceeded with precision, both going and later returning to Mexico.”
What would you tell your friends about your experience with SkyMed? “We tell our friends that we are very pleased with SkyMed services. We send many of our friends to my blog, elranchosantaclara.com, to read our entire story.”
Do you have any tips to share on ‘how to’ survive a life challenge? “Be prepared, don’t take anything for granted.”
