Dad, 51, with 'serious' needle phobia dies from Covid
A renowned video game developer from Scotland with a severe fear of needles has died from Covid.
Stewart Gilray, 51, a dad of two who lives in Aberdeen, died last week after his entire family fell ill with the virus in mid-December, his wife Bec Gilray, 41, announced.
The mum told The Daily Record her husband’s phobia prevented him from getting the jab and that he “genuinely believed he was going to survive the virus because he was healthy”.
“Stewart had a serious fear of needles. In all seriousness, in 25 years he had one blood test,” she said.
“He avoided trying to go to the doctor's in case they ever needed to draw blood, but the truth is Stewart wasn't poorly in the 25 years I knew him.”
In a series of Facebook posts, Mr Gilray told friends and family that he had been admitted to hospital on December 21 and was “not doing that great”. He said the doctor had him on 95 per cent oxygen.
“For those that know me well enough know I hate needles etc, this picture shows what I'm going through right now to fight this!” he wrote alongside an image of an IV in his hand.
Ms Gilray said her husband’s condition quickly deteriorated after he was admitted and it was discovered that he had a previously undiagnosed lung condition.
“Before he was intubated he said to me: ‘There’s nothing to worry about. I'm going to be fine. I just need a little rest’,” she told the publication.
“He went into hospital with low oxygen saturation and went from using an oxygen mask to needing intubated.”
The lung condition could have affected Mr Gilray’s chances of survival, his wife said doctors told her.
The devastated mum is now urging everyone to try and overcome their fears and get vaccinated.
Ms Gilray said she wouldn’t wish the “horrendous” situation on anyone and described her husband as a dedicated dad who loved his life.
She said he wanted to retire early to spend more time with his kids, aged 15 and 3.
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Tragic last Facebook post
On Christmas Day, Mr Gilray took to social media to wish friends and family a happy holiday. It was his last post before passing away.
“Merry Christmas you lot…thanks for the hundreds of messages etc,” he said.
“Whilst this ‘fighting’ malarkey is difficult it's also me wearing different [masks] and sleeping.
“Anyway, I'm in no pain or discomfort, I've just got a numb bum and am doing a lot of non-movement!” he said.
The 51-year-old also included two selfies of him wearing different oxygen masks.
More than 100 people commented, urging him to get better soon.
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