Medford Couple Desperate to Get Back Home

MEDFORD, MA - Bringing Christine and Ed Schultz back home from a vacation might not sound like your everyday GoFundMe, but the Medford couple are apparently in dire need of some help.

The short of it is the two need help getting back to the United States because of a medical emergency Ed is in the midst of, but they don't have the funds to pay for a medical flight.

Ed fractured his back in an apparent coughing fit, and doctors in Oman discovered he had a lesion which requires a spinal surgeon. Ed desperately needs to get back to Boston, according to this GoFundMe created by a close friend, but can't handle the pain of a conventional flight. He needs a medical flight.

The problem is a medical flight isn't cheap - in fact, the GoFundMe says one back from Oman would cost about $100,000, and insurance isn't covering it. So friends and family are trying to help raise money for Ed, an occupational therapist, to pay for the medical flight and other associated expenses.

"Ed cannot sit up or get out of bed," the GoFundMe says. "He cannot turn to the side even slightly without strong pain medication, and even with medicine the pain and muscle spasms are often too painful for him to bear. After helping so many people through his life, he is now the one that cannot get back on his feet."

As of early Tuesday evening, more than $30,000 had been raised.

"Ed and I are truly overcome with gratitude over the outpouring of support," Christine wrote on GoFundMe. "It has been a tearful day of watching family, friends and people we have never even met contribute to our return home. We are so thankful for all your donations, your kind, supportive words, and for sharing our story with others. Thank you all very much!"

Visit the GoFundMe here.

Fox25 was first to report this story.

Photo courtesy of GoFundMe