OKC Man Battles Rare Disease In South Korea, Needs Help To Come Home

OKC News 9 ^ | 08/25/2013 | Xin Xin Liu

[TexGrill]

Family and friends of an Oklahoma City man, who is battling a rare disease in South Korea, are trying to raise money to cover his medical bills and bring him back home.

In June, 2012, Sean Jones moved to Hwajung, South Korea, to teach English. Jones' brother Brandon told News 9 that Jones loves meeting new people and learning about other cultures. That's why he decided to become a full-time English teacher in South Korea.

"He made a lot of friends. He just loves being around people," said Brandon Jones. "Sean is just one of those people that can actually just get to know anyone. It's not really hard for him."

In May, 2013, Sean told his friends that he was beginning to feel sick. He was misdiagnosed at first and ended up in the ICU at one of the hospitals in Seoul, Korea.

Jones was eventually diagnosed with Encephalitis NMDA, which is the inflammation of the brain. Viral infections are the most common cause of the condition.

"The first time I saw him, he looked like himself. But he was not quite there. Like his brain had reset. He would actually move and look at me, but he wouldn't say anything. He was almost child-like," Brandon Jones said.

Family members say Jones suffered from internal bleeding and has lost a lot of weight. Luckily, the doctor says he hasn't suffered any brain damage.

After being treated for the disease, family members say Jones is doing better, and he was able to eat and talk again.

However, the extensive treatment left Jones a hefty medical bill. He has used up all his savings.

[TexGrill]

Global business tip

[Age of Reason]

Sean Jones moved to Hwajung, South Korea, to teach English.

Sure, teach them how to take away more of our jobs.

[Joe 6-pack]

It was my experience that most Koreans rigidly adopted the accents of their English teachers. I found it somewhat amusing to listen to ROKs speaking with New Zealand accents, the occasional Canadian, “eh,” etc. Sounds like at least a handful will be turning up sounding like some Hangul Okies.

[NonValueAdded]

Are they sure this isn’t just an email? Seems like I get one a month from friends who are stuck in foreign places and just need a little scratch to get home.

[ZOOKER]

What a coincidence - my son did the same thing (teaching English in South Korea) for two years. While he was there he was diagnosed with leukemia and spent 3 weeks in the hospital. Luckily the South Korean gov't picked up most of his hospital bills and meds. Also luckily, his was a treatable form of the disease and he responded well to the medication - he called and said his last blood test was totally clean! He's home now, married and living a normal life.

Prayers for this Okie, it sucks to be sick but to be sick on the other side of the world is worse.