Injured writer’s family appeals for funds

PHUKET: Friends and family of writer Karla Doberstein yesterday appealed for people to help Karla with her rising medical bills by making donations into an account specially set up to pay the hospital. Ms Doberstein, 38, fell down the stairs in her home late at night on October 3, striking the back of her head as she fell. She was taken by ambulance to Bangkok Phuket Hospital where she was rushed into surgery. Doctors discovered that the blows to her head sustained during her fall had caused a major hematoma. After initially showing signs of recovery, Ms Doberstein suffered a relapse. Further tests by doctors have discovered that she is now suffering from a bacterial meningitis infection, and she has been put on a course of antibiotics. Ms Doberstein arrived in Phuket in July 1998 and has written for many Phuket publications, including the Phuket Gazette, Phuket Insider, Kinaree, Benjarong and Phuket Magazine, where she was Managing Editor. Recently, she had been doing PR work. In the appeal for assistance, close friend and client Sue Armstrong-Ultmann of Baan Rim Pa, explained, “Her condition at the moment could best be described as stable, but critical,” she said. She added that, should Ms Doberstein recover, she would require long-term medical treatment. The special bank account was opened by Ms Doberstein’s mother, Margaret, and Ms Armstrong-Ultmann. “It has been set up so that all withdrawals from the account will be made payable only to the Bangkok Phuket Hospital,” said Ms Armstrong-Ultmann. Those wishing to help Ms Doberstein may deposit contributions into the following account: Bank: Siam Commercial Bank Branch: Chalong Account number: 737-2-18838-2 Account Name: Margaret Doberstein Ms Doberstein’s family has asked for well-wishers not to visit Karla at the hospital. Messages emailed to Sue Armstrong-Ultmann at sue@baanrimpa.com will be passed on.