Due to a poorly lit outdoor stairway, I fell injuring my right ankle.
I was walking down the stairs with a person from the property managment in front of me. As I finished the first 1/2 flight of stairs, he turned to start the 2nd 1/2 flight of stairs. When he did this, he blocked all of the light coming into the stairway. My eyes could not adjust to the instant blackness and I missed my final step, flying into the wall and landing with my right leg twisted under me, cuts on my arm were visibly bleeding. The employee only told me to "put that foot up" and left me to hobble into the condo I had rented for the week. I was not offered any first aid, not even ice.
After an hour of excruciating pain, I hobbled up to the main office. I ended up taking a very painful horse and buggy ride to and from the new emergency center (everyone there was wonderful). They were surprised there was not a break and I was given crutches and my ankle wrapped. I was told to elevate and ice for 20 minutes of every hour for the 1st 24 hours and to avoid usage of my right foot as much as possible.
Upon return to the condo, I called the office to tell them it was a severe sprain. I was told if I was unable to complete my stay they would understand and refund my money. I attempted to alleviate the pain of the ankle with the little bit of ice available in the condo. I had no access to continuous ice and no assistance in securing ice was offered.
I tried to reach my family as I was traveling alone and left the number that was written on the room telephone for them to call me back. My family had been trying to call me all night, but was unablke to reach me.in the morning my mother got a hold of the office and was treating incredibly rudely. The office had no idea what the proper telephone number was for my condo and was incredibly rude to me. Apparently, the phone had gotten switched with another condo phone. The managment did not feel they had any responsibility in this occurance.
As I tried to sleep, I realized there was no sound proofing between the condos and I heard everything from the condo next door as though they were in my condo. The sink dripped and the toilet ran all night long.
By early morning, it was apparent I could not stand the pain and inconvience of being on the island and I needed to leave. I was treated with extreme hostility and rudeness. I was refused a refund, the staff stating I could stay in the condo for the week. I had no access to the necessary first aid procedures required by the medical staff, nor did I have access to food. Property managment certainly was not about to provide me with such assistance.
I explained to the managment that I needed a refund so that when I got to the mainland, I could get a hotel room as I could not drive the 10 hours back to my home. Sunset condos is not located near any reasonably priced food, and since there are no cars allowed on the island they do not have take-out delivery. I have an uncle who lives about an hour from Mackinaw, but I was unsure if I would be able to stay with him as he was recently widowed and lives in a one room cabin.
The lack of empathy, compassion, and basic medical care was extremely distressing. The incredible rudeness and hostility of the staff was uncalled for. The disrepair of the property is dangerous and unnecessary.
I was off work for nearly 3 months due to this injury. I tore every ligament and tendon in my ankle, sprained and brused my right arm and shoulder. I have under gone extensive physical therapy and have permanent damage to that ankle. I also developed arthritis which is very painful. I had to take numerous pain medications, use crutches, then a cane for months. I have also had to have cortisone shots directly into my ankle.
I did continue to try to receive a refund of my money, but the managment continued their unprofessional and rude behaviors. I STRONGLY caution anyone from visiting this property. The location is peaceful and calming, but EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. The staff could not be any less humane if they tried.
I ended up losing all of the money I had paid in advance for the week rental of the condo, over $1000 in medical bills (with insurance), and then had to pay for additional hotel and transportation costs. I had never had a problem traveling alone in the past, but I continue to fear traveling alone due to this experience of being left compoletly helpless by the staff wiht no ability to contact my family.
The managment of this property obviously lacks any ability to empathize with travelors, shady business practices, and a complete lack of ethics. Unless you are willing to risk your physical well being, I would stay far away from any property under this managments control. I have stayed in many wonderful places on Mackinaw Island, so there are plenty to chose from. Since this injury, I have no desire to return to the island I have loved my entire life. The month prior to this incident, I spent several days on the island in a wonderful bed and breakfast right in town. I had spent the days hiking and horse back riding with no incident and very responsive people.
All I had wanted from this company was to be treated properly and a refund of my money. If they had done only those few things I would never have considered posting this report, nor would I make sure to tell everyone I know to stay far away from their properties.
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