To pay unexpected huge hospital bill.

A Dream Trip that Became a Nightmare

My dad Balinder Singh had never left his hometown of Amritsar, India. He never felt he had a reason to leave because everything he cared about was close to him. He lived near the sacred Gurudwara, the Golden Temple, and is the founding Gurudwara of our Sikh faith. He had his friends. And most of all, he had his daughter and grandkids just a few hours away in Delhi.

All that changed three years ago when me and my husband and my two kids decided to take a leap of faith. Every parent wants the best of their children and our story is no exception.

My husband had an opportunity to take a job in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Compared to Delhi, Vancouver might as well be the Moon. After deep consideration and contemplation, we made the hardest decision we have ever had to make. We packed our bags and decided to start fresh with no safety net in Vancouver, BC.

It took us three sleepless years to start something that resembles a decent life. My kids have struggled but are adjusting. We left all of our friends behind but have made a few to compensate.

Suddenly, my dad had a reason to visit someplace outside of India. He itched for the opportunity to see his grandkids and see our humble home and smell the fresh Vancouver air. I could not deny his wishes.

So we worked extra hard and saved up and borrowed some money to sponsor a Canadian visa and help purchase the Air India tickets from Delhi to Vancouver. The entire family was excited to reunite and share in the joy of what we had accomplished in three years.

My mom and dad arrived tired and worn out which is expected after a long journey across our big planet. But Dad’s smile was ear to ear to see and feel his loved ones in a better place.

Since his visit, we have laughed, we have cried, eaten amazing food, and seen the most amazing sunsets in places like Richmond and Whiterock.

In our Sikh language, there is an expression. “Yeh likha hoa hai..” What is written will happen.

My dad passed away on Aug 7, 2022. He is remembered by my mom who is devastated and has to return to India alone. He is remembered by me, my husband, and our two boys. What started as a dream has ended up as a worst-case nightmare.

While visiting Canada, my dad’s organs collapsed one by one and eventually his blood pressure reached a flatline without life support. On Saturday, August 7th, 2022, we had to make the unthinkable decision on behalf of my dad.

We received love, guidance, and health expertise from the Richmond Hospital. But it didn’t come without cost. Two days in the ICU is invoiced at $62,514 given that my dad didn’t have Canadian health insurance and only limited travel insurace. This is excluding the various charges we paid out of pocket including specialist doctor charges as well funeral costs.

We have seen a lot of hardships in the last few months. Our teenage son had a terrible road accident in February this year and we were coping with it when my father-in-law passed away in India after being on life support for more than 2 months and my husband traveled to India two times to be with his family. We were still grieving and then my father also passed away.

We need your help. This is the first time we have ever had to ask anyone for anything. But we have overcome shame, guilt, and regret to post this GoFundMe. Every penny will help us.

We are thankful and blessed to have had quality time with my dad but I am praying that it doesn’t cost us my family and life here in Vancouver.

God Bless all of you who have already donated your time, money, and resources in our time of need. Maybe we can repay you when it’s your time.

Sincerely,

Geetu Lamba