American expat fell from a roof while chasing a monkey

A Florida man now living in Indonesia is fighting for his life after he fell from a roof while chasing a monkey that had stolen his favorite Pittsburgh Steelers cap.

The Northwest Florida Daily News reported that Jeff ‘Swede’ Swedenhjelm, 40, fell 33 feet in Bali on Monday.

Villagers took him to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe damage to his spinal cord.

He currently is paralyzed from the chest down.

Jeff ‘Swede’ Swedenhjelm, 40, is paralyzed from the chest down after falling 33 feet from a roof

Swede had been chasing a monkey who stole his favorite Pittsburgh Steelers hat when he took his fall on Monday

Swede had been chasing a monkey who stole his favorite Pittsburgh Steelers hat when he took his fall on Monday

Lyric Swedenhjelm, who lives in Destin, said the family is trying to get her father to a country with a spinal specialist, for example Singapore.

The 20-year-old said Swedenhjelm is in a medically induced coma and is on a ventilator.

Swedenhjelm, who is known by his nickname ‘Swede’, is ‘very popular, a social guy,’ Lyric told the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Lyric added that he had moved to Bali years ago and has neither money nor medical insurance. 

The family has started a fundraising page on GoFundMe, which has already raised around $40,000.

Lyric said that transportation and medical costs will likely total $60,000.

Swede is originally from the Florida Panhandle and moved to Indonesia years ago, his daughter Lyric said

Swede is originally from the Florida Panhandle and moved to Indonesia years ago, his daughter Lyric said

Lyric Swedenhjelm told the Northwest Florida Daily News that her father is 'very popular, a social guy'

Lyric Swedenhjelm told the Northwest Florida Daily News that her father is ‘very popular, a social guy’

His GoFundMe page reads in part: 'Obviously this is going to incur a great deal of medical expenses. I am hopeful that the time we shared on this wonderful planet has given me enough love and respect in your heart to make you want to help'

His GoFundMe page reads in part: ‘Obviously this is going to incur a great deal of medical expenses. I am hopeful that the time we shared on this wonderful planet has given me enough love and respect in your heart to make you want to help’

It continues: 'I have never been the one to ask for help, especially in monetary form, but any help will be taken to heart. Thank you all in advance. One Love. <3 Swede'

It continues: ‘I have never been the one to ask for help, especially in monetary form, but any help will be taken to heart. Thank you all in advance. One Love. <3 Swede’

His GoFundMe page, written from his perspective, reads in part: ‘Ladies and gentlemen,

‘I am reaching out to all of you in a state of paralysis. 

‘A few nights ago, in Bali, I had an accident that has crippled me from the chest down, and has only allowed me to feel a tingling sensation in hands and arms. 

‘Other than that the only parts are working are my head and my heart, which is how I hope to reach you.

‘Early diagnosis is that full recovery is rare and partial recovery will take at least 3 months to gain feeling in my lower extremities and possibly over a year to walk again.

‘Obviously this is going to incur a great deal of medical expenses. I am hopeful that the time we shared on this wonderful planet has given me enough love and respect in your heart to make you want to help. 

‘I have never been the one to ask for help, especially in monetary form, but any help will be taken to heart. Thank you all in advance. One Love. <3 Swede’



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