Costa Rica beach getaway turns tragic for Glendale veteran
Air Force veteran battles kidney failure
A weekend trip to Costa Rica turned into a nightmare for 42-year-old Glendale combat veteran Christopher Ayers, who is now dealing with kidney failure.
GLENDALE, Ariz. - A 42-year-old Glendale combat veteran went to Costa Rica for a weekend birthday trip, but it quickly turned into a nightmare. Now, he is back home battling kidney failure.
What we know:
Christopher Ayers served his country for a decade in the U.S. Air Force. But a mid-July beach getaway to Costa Rica with friends left the disabled veteran fighting a very different kind of battle.
"As soon as I get to my waist, that's when everything just, it just flipped," Ayers said.
While wading in the ocean, he says the situation turned in an instant.
Air Force veteran Christopher Ayers was swept away by a tide in Costa Rica, leading to acute renal failure and ongoing medical hurdles back home.
‘A nightmare'
"Like it just felt like the ocean just grabbed me by the waist and pulled me over," Ayers said.
Ayers was swept away by a sudden tide. Friends pulled him to shore, though tragically, another friend in their group did not survive. Ayers says it took 24 hours to get proper medical aid, a delay that triggered acute renal failure.
"It was a terrible experience. It was definitely a nightmare," Ayers said.
Dig deeper:
Ayers’ sister flew down to help get him to a hospital and eventually back home. But his medical battle continues.
Ayers says his follow-up VA appointments were abruptly canceled, leaving him without a crucial checkup for over a month as he strictly monitors his diet to protect his kidneys.
"I don't know what my body looks like right now, so I just keep trying to stick to a good diet and minimize whatever will affect my kidneys," Ayers said.
What you can do:
Ayers is now seeking community support as he navigates his long-term recovery and tries to maintain a routine as a full-time student. Click here to find his GoFundMe.