GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Jean and Ray Sorensen say this past week has been a nightmare for them. Their son, Brett Sorensen, is stuck in a hospital in Cancun, Mexico after becoming severely ill.
Soresen is from the Grand Rapids area.
"The feeling is so helpless, not to be able to help your child and to get them home," said Ray Sorensen.
"He's a good guy, caring, hard worker,” said Jean Sorensen.
The Sorensens say their son went Mexico last week for work with his best friend David Shirey.
"Brett is a good person. He was the best man in my wedding,” said Shirey.
Shirey said things were running smoothly until Sorensen became ill, was hospitalized and eventually placed in a medically induced coma.
"It's probably one of the worst phone calls you could ever make to your friend's parents," said Shirey.
Sorensen's family and friends say the doctors in Mexico have done everything they can and have worked tremendously to get Sorensen stable.
But he needs more care that can be found back in the United States.
Unfortunately, they say it has been difficult getting him back in the U.S.
"We just, there's no place to send him. We just can't send you anywhere. And it's just, it's just one battle after the other,” said Ray Sorensen.
"This is our last hurdle to get through and came home and we're just stuck here,” said Jean Sorensen.
They say they've called numerous hospitals in the Grand Rapids area, across the state and even other states looking for an ICU bed for Sorensen.
Unfortunately, they say none of them have been able to accommodate him.
He has insurance that covers traveling.
13 ON YOUR SIDE reached out to numerous hospitals in the Grand Rapids area. Some did not get back to us.
Staff with University of Michigan Health and Corewell Health tell 13 ON YOUR SIDE they are looking into the matter. Chris Zoladz, head of communications for University of Michigan Health-West, said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Clifford Cho has reached out to other hospitals to try to find help.
Sorensen's family and friends say they don't blame hospitals that can't accept him. They are just hoping someone in their community either has a connection to a hospital that can admit him or has information on how to transport someone from a hospital out of the country to a hospital in the country.
"If there's anyone out there that can offer any leads or maybe offer some information we don't know on how to resolve this. It's just, man, we're looking for a miracle here," said Shirey.
If you would like to help, email us at news@13onyourside.com.
