In March 2022, Lee Johnson, then 55, had a stroke while living in Majorca.
Lee’s ex-partner Hannah and their then-14-year-old daughter had to care for him, but the adult social care system in Spain is very different to the one in this country.
She told Your Local Guardian: “Initially, doctors weren’t expecting him to fall through.
“But he did and he was in hospital for a long time while in Majorca.
“He finally came home, and since then, it’s been a nightmare.
“My sister Hannah and her youngest daughter Faye, who is 16 now, are doing all the care for him.”
In Majorca, patients get a few hours of help from social services each week.
They still have to pay for it, but it’s partly subsidised.
Lee also suffers from epilepsy, because of the stroke, adding an extra issue for both Hannah and Faye.
Francesca added: “Hannah works full-time, and Faye is at school full time, and she’s an aspiring Olympic gymnast, so she’s training every evening and weekends as well.
“So, as you can imagine, it’s quite hectic for Hannah.
“She needs to prepare everything for Lee before she leaves the house, so he has what he needs.
“After that, she must return home to take care of him, then head back to work.
“Later, she’ll come home again to look after him.
“But it’s really taking the toll on her.”
Lee is essentially home all day by himself and is unable to do much beyond watching TV.
The stroke caused Lee to become blind in one eye and suffer from depression.
Francesca said: “So, we are in the process of trying to get him back over to Croydon.
“We’ve started raising funds and we’ve spoken to Adult Social Care.”
In order to get Adult Social Care in England, Lee has to be a resident and needs an address.
Francesca has launched a GoFundMe and needs to raise £23,000 to secure a place in a care home.
If enough money is raised, only Lee would return to Croydon.
Lee’s elderly father lives in America and his half-sister lives in a studio on the top floor of a block of flats, which is unsuitable for him.
Francesca added: “Bringing him back will be the best for him.
“Being in the UK surrounded by English-speaking individuals will be easier since his stroke.
“I think it would improve if he was back here.
“At the moment, he’s got no motivation, and he’s got no one there to help him.
“If he had somebody with him during the day, they would help him.
“They would make sure he was doing exercises; he’d have someone to talk to.
“It would just make the world of difference.
“He’s desperate to come back home.”
As of January 23, £4,380 have been donated to help get Lee back to Croydon.
People can donate to Lee on the GoFundMe website.
