Sometimes stories of true love are uplifting; proof that even when the world is a total bummer, love can be that beacon of light shining through the darkness. However, sometimes love can make you want to curl up in the fetal position and cry for hours. Unfortunately, this Canadian couple’s story is the latter.
Wolf and Anita Gottschalk of Surrey, B.C, have been together for 62 years, but recent circumstances have forced them apart to live in different nursing homes. Wolf, 83 years old and recently diagnosed with lymphoma and dementia, and Anita, 81 years old, only get to see each other every other day. Their family, specifically their granddaughter Ashley Bartyik, does their best to ensure that the couple sees each other as often as possible, but the pain of farewell so often takes its toll. Bartyik posted the heartbreaking photo on Facebook, with a devastating caption explaining their plight.
“After 62 years together in marriage they have been separated for 8 months due to backlogs and delays by our health care system, whom have the power to have my grandpa moved to the same care facility as my grandmother. They cry every time they see each other, and it is heartbreaking.”
“We are afraid however that if they are living apart much longer, his memory of her won’t stay. This has been a strain on our family, making the 30 minute commute to bring her to see him, every second day, so he does not forget her.”
Bartyik urged people to share the post in hopes that the healthcare system, Fraser Health, can help with their predicament. While Fraser Health claimed to be working with the family to clear up the issue, Bartyik claims in a second Facebook post that they have not reached out to the family at this time. The post has since gone viral, being shared thousands of times, so hopefully the heightened profile will bring about a happy ending for these two.
(Via People)
