Saint Augustine Lightning Strike: Schuyler Family Needs Help

A Lightning Strike Changed Everything — Please Help the Schuyler family Recover

On Saturday, July 12th, tragedy struck the family in a way they never could have imagined.

 Phil Schuyler,, who is in his 80s, was struck by lightning while standing on the St. Augustine Pier in Florida with his wife, Diana and his daughter, Jayme.

He took the full force of the strike. It entered his body, throwing him violently to the ground, causing additional injuries to his heart and face. 

Emergency responders transported him to the ICU, and he has since been airlifted to a specialized unit in Gainesville, where he remains under intensive treatment.

Jayme Schuyler suffered minor injuries. Miraculously, Diana Schuyler, who was sitting on her mobility scooter escaped physical harm. But she suffers from advanced dementia, and Phil Schuyler has been her sole caregiver.

Now he can’t care for her. He can’t care for himself.

They live out of state with limited support, and their entire world has just been turned upside down.

WHY WE NEED HELP?

Insurance Will Not Cover the Life Flights



The family has now received confirmation that neither of the two emergency life flights will be covered by insurance. These flights were not optional — they were urgent, life-saving actions. Without them, Pop likely would not have survived.

We are now facing a staggering out-of-pocket medical transport bill that could reach tens of thousands of dollars, on top of his continuing medical needs and recovery costs.

The funds raised through this campaign will be used to help offset these critical emergency expenses.

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About Pop and Nana

Pop and Nana are both in their 80s. Pop has always been strong, humble, and dependable. He has been the full-time caregiver for Nana, who suffers from dementia. He has lived his life in quiet service to others — and now it’s our turn to stand with him in his hour of need.

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How You Can Help

Your donation will go toward:

• Covering the uninsured life flight bills

• Supporting Pop’s recovery and rehabilitation

• Providing stability for Nana’s care during this transition

Whether through a donation or by sharing this campaign, every single gesture is deeply appreciated by our entire family.

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From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for helping carry this incredible man forward. Your support means more than words can say.

The cost of this medical emergency is staggering.

But even more urgently:

We now face the immediate and ongoing need for caregiving, housing support, transportation, and rehabilitation.

We are setting a goal of $250,000 to help cover:

• Emergency ICU, burn unit, and cardiac care

• Multiple medical transports by helicopter

• Facial, neurological, and heart trauma recovery

• In-home support for Diana with dementia

• Temporary housing and long-term rehabilitation

• Travel and family care coordination

Every dollar helps stabilize the Schuyler family in this crisis.

Even a small contribution will go directly toward keeping them safe and supported through this storm.

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FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

My grandfather is a steady man who never asks for help. He’s worked hard all his life and always taken care of everyone else, including raising me and taking care of my grandmother.

But now he can’t even lift himself from the hospital bed.

This is one of the hardest things we’ve ever faced, and we don’t know what the road ahead will look like. What we do know is this:

We cannot do it alone.

If you’re reading this, please know how deeply we appreciate your time, your heart, and your help.

Whether you give, share, or simply say a prayer—we are truly grateful.

Thank you for standing with us in this moment.

With love and hope,

The Schuyler family.