A Scottish father diagnosed with terminal cancer will be reunited with his fiancée and daughter for what he hopes will be their “final Christmas” together after overcoming significant visa challenges. Adrian O’Grady, 42, received the devastating diagnosis of stage four colon cancer just days ago, prompting him to seek the company of his loved ones during this critical time.
Adrian, who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Glasgow, has been separated from his fiancée, Yanti, and their four-year-old daughter, Chloe, who reside in Bali. The family’s plans to celebrate Christmas in the UK were put on hold as Chloe’s temporary visitor visa faced bureaucratic delays, causing them to cancel flights five times.
Following extensive media coverage of his situation, the visa was finally approved, allowing the family to make travel arrangements. Adrian expressed his relief, stating, “My fiancée checked the status of the application and said it’s not in limbo anymore. This means the world to me, and I’m just over the moon.”
The emotional strain of the past few weeks has taken a toll on Adrian and his family. He noted that the stress, coupled with his health crisis, was overwhelming. “It’s just really hard without my family. I just want my daughter here and want the Home Office to finally approve her visa,” he added.
Adrian, who performs as DJ AJ O’Grady, returned to Scotland last month with hopes of spending a special six-week Christmas holiday with his family. Despite Yanti’s visa approval coming through without issues, Chloe’s application was delayed for nearly three weeks. Adrian spent approximately £10,000 on expedited visa applications and rescheduled flights in an attempt to bring his family to Scotland.
In a particularly poignant moment, a specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital penned a letter to the Home Office, advocating for the family’s reunion. The letter highlighted the urgency of Adrian’s condition, stating, “This is a life-limiting diagnosis, and the prognosis is poor. Given the life-limiting prognosis of stage four cancer, I would be grateful if every effort could be made for his daughter to be granted a visa to travel to the UK with her mother.”
Singapore Airlines, recognizing the family’s plight, confirmed that they would assist by crediting the missed flights for future use. Adrian now faces the task of finalizing travel arrangements for Yanti and Chloe, with hopes that they will arrive in time for Christmas.
As the family prepares for their reunion, Adrian’s focus remains on spending quality time with his loved ones during this challenging period. “I don’t know how long I’ve got left to live. I just want my family here for Christmas,” he said. The approval of Chloe’s visa marks a significant relief in a situation that has been fraught with emotional distress and uncertainty.
