It seems to me that the issue at the centre of the removal of Helena Munroe from her husband and home is sometimes lost in the details surrounding the event.
The core issue here is that persons with Alzheimer's Disease are apparently not protected under the law until such time that they are declared legally incompetent. The period of time that this covers can be years.
Helena Munroe is an extremely well-educated woman in a long-term marriage, who went to her lawyer to create an enduring power of attorney as a way of ensuring her future care. This was not enough to protect her from now being cared for in a nursing home a country away from her home and loved ones.
What happens to the people who are not in long term relationships, or are not so educated, or do not have a lawyer? Until policymakers, government, law enforcement and the general public become more educated about Alzheimer's, this will happen again.
I hope it's not me.
Or you.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Canadian Lawyer Magazine Article
Do please click on the following link to Canadian Lawyer Magazine. It is an informative article by Judy Van Rhijn published in October 2007 which refers to Heli Munroe and points to the fact that elder care law needs reform. Thank you.
www.canadianlawyermag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=197&Itemid
www.canadianlawyermag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=197&Itemid
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Latest news on Heli !
The following is an excerpt from email (received from Carol July3/07 @ 10:30am) on the latest visit with Heli by husband, Sandy and his brother, Don:
When Don and Sandy arrived and introduced themselves by name, Heli added and you are from Canada.
Very touching, she spent the afternoon wearing Sandy's jacket, and she said, I am trying so hard, and indeed she is, what courage. Bless her.
Sandy, Carol and Don have been touched by your response to their encouraging news and have asked me to thank you all !!
When Don and Sandy arrived and introduced themselves by name, Heli added and you are from Canada.
Very touching, she spent the afternoon wearing Sandy's jacket, and she said, I am trying so hard, and indeed she is, what courage. Bless her.
Sandy, Carol and Don have been touched by your response to their encouraging news and have asked me to thank you all !!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Heli recognized Sandy !!!
The following encouraging news of Heli is based on information I received from Carol on Monday, July 2/07:
On their very first contact in over nineteen months, Heli Munroe recognized Sandy, her husband of forty-two years. She conveyed this verbally and with non-verbal signs which were clearly understood by those in attendance.
Friend and alternate Power of Attorney, Carol Bowlby-Sifton, says via email from UK that the hospital is a "wonderful facility" and the administrators are "very empathetic".
Thank you to all of you who have been sending encouraging thoughts, words, and prayers. This positive energy has been invaluable to Heli's family and friends, and Heli herself.
Please keep doing so, as it can only help!
On their very first contact in over nineteen months, Heli Munroe recognized Sandy, her husband of forty-two years. She conveyed this verbally and with non-verbal signs which were clearly understood by those in attendance.
Friend and alternate Power of Attorney, Carol Bowlby-Sifton, says via email from UK that the hospital is a "wonderful facility" and the administrators are "very empathetic".
Thank you to all of you who have been sending encouraging thoughts, words, and prayers. This positive energy has been invaluable to Heli's family and friends, and Heli herself.
Please keep doing so, as it can only help!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Outpouring of Concern for Heli and Why No Charges Laid
There has been tremendous response from across the country to this story, both from those concerned about Sandy & Heli and those angry at the lack of will in Nova Scotia to protect, under the law, those with Alzheimer's.
Please continue to voice your concerns to our Justice Department and everyone else who you think should help. And it couldn't hurt to call or write to your media sources to let them know you want further questions answered in this case.
The following are comments written to the Globe & Mail in response to Heli's story:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070628.wwife28/CommentStory/National/#comments
garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: helena moore was kidnapped.why doesn't peter mackay use his position as minister for foreign affairs to effect a return as she was taken using a phoney passport.
Posted 28/06/07 at 6:02 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Diane Schweik from EDMONTON, Canada writes: It's a shame that those who scream about Canadians in foreign jails have nothing to say re this tragic story.Apart from the criminal act of kidnapping,the care of the elderly in the UK is atrocious.
Posted 28/06/07 at 7:37 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Elwan Lobo-Pires from Mississauga, Canada writes: WOW! What a sad story. The RCMP in their wiadom have decided to interview the man who took his wife to Switzerland because she wanted to die, knowing full well that they have no jurisdiction over what happened there becaues euthanasia is legal in Switerland. We have a story here of a person who has been kidnapped and they sit on their hands. What a hypocritical nation we live in
Posted 28/06/07 at 10:16 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Robert P from Montreal, Canada writes: Where are all the marriage activists now? This is the most blatant attack on marriage possible. He is her husband, legally married, legally responsible for her care (if she dies with bills unpaid he could even be sued to pay them)True her brother is family but she had no choice in that. Her husband she chose and made a legal tie with. Marriage has to supersede all other relationships or it has lost all meaning.
Posted 28/06/07 at 10:52 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: This story makes me sad every time I hear more about it. I hope that Heli has a good day and recognizes her husband (and bear). Yes, Petey could do a good deed, and for people from his own province. Of course, he won't.
Posted 28/06/07 at 3:37 PM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Sherry Poole from Toronto, Canada writes: Canadian law enforcement agencies and governments have all the "cojones" of a KEN DOLL!I travel extensively for my work, so I am HIGHLY AWARE that Canadians overseas are ON THEIR OWN - COMPLETELY. I have had more support from American embassies overseas than I ever received from Canadian ones. In Eastern Europe right now, virtually every Canadian embassy is a local joke. There's a Budapest-based blogger who INFORMS hungarians of the AMOUNTS they should pay to Canadian embassy staff (and they even NAME them!) to facilitate their immigration. Naturally, the blog is in Hungarian, and Canada's embassy in Budapest has no Hungarian-speaking Canadians on staff. I wish I was kidding.Similar scenarios have been encountered in Russia, Poland, France and Italy (to my knowledge). Canadians embassies are so widely known to be corrupt that they are virtually a joke globally.That this POOR MAN was left hanging by his government and police while his wife was kidnapped is PAR FOR THE COURSE in ball-less Canada.In any Canadian politician or law enforcement professional was to ever discover that he had "balls", they'd likely found a bowling league.Generally speaking, and I really do hate to admit this, Canadians are embarrassingly gutless.
Posted 28/06/07 at 3:43 PM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Please continue to voice your concerns to our Justice Department and everyone else who you think should help. And it couldn't hurt to call or write to your media sources to let them know you want further questions answered in this case.
The following are comments written to the Globe & Mail in response to Heli's story:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070628.wwife28/CommentStory/National/#comments
garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: helena moore was kidnapped.why doesn't peter mackay use his position as minister for foreign affairs to effect a return as she was taken using a phoney passport.
Posted 28/06/07 at 6:02 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Diane Schweik from EDMONTON, Canada writes: It's a shame that those who scream about Canadians in foreign jails have nothing to say re this tragic story.Apart from the criminal act of kidnapping,the care of the elderly in the UK is atrocious.
Posted 28/06/07 at 7:37 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Elwan Lobo-Pires from Mississauga, Canada writes: WOW! What a sad story. The RCMP in their wiadom have decided to interview the man who took his wife to Switzerland because she wanted to die, knowing full well that they have no jurisdiction over what happened there becaues euthanasia is legal in Switerland. We have a story here of a person who has been kidnapped and they sit on their hands. What a hypocritical nation we live in
Posted 28/06/07 at 10:16 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Robert P from Montreal, Canada writes: Where are all the marriage activists now? This is the most blatant attack on marriage possible. He is her husband, legally married, legally responsible for her care (if she dies with bills unpaid he could even be sued to pay them)True her brother is family but she had no choice in that. Her husband she chose and made a legal tie with. Marriage has to supersede all other relationships or it has lost all meaning.
Posted 28/06/07 at 10:52 AM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: This story makes me sad every time I hear more about it. I hope that Heli has a good day and recognizes her husband (and bear). Yes, Petey could do a good deed, and for people from his own province. Of course, he won't.
Posted 28/06/07 at 3:37 PM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Sherry Poole from Toronto, Canada writes: Canadian law enforcement agencies and governments have all the "cojones" of a KEN DOLL!I travel extensively for my work, so I am HIGHLY AWARE that Canadians overseas are ON THEIR OWN - COMPLETELY. I have had more support from American embassies overseas than I ever received from Canadian ones. In Eastern Europe right now, virtually every Canadian embassy is a local joke. There's a Budapest-based blogger who INFORMS hungarians of the AMOUNTS they should pay to Canadian embassy staff (and they even NAME them!) to facilitate their immigration. Naturally, the blog is in Hungarian, and Canada's embassy in Budapest has no Hungarian-speaking Canadians on staff. I wish I was kidding.Similar scenarios have been encountered in Russia, Poland, France and Italy (to my knowledge). Canadians embassies are so widely known to be corrupt that they are virtually a joke globally.That this POOR MAN was left hanging by his government and police while his wife was kidnapped is PAR FOR THE COURSE in ball-less Canada.In any Canadian politician or law enforcement professional was to ever discover that he had "balls", they'd likely found a bowling league.Generally speaking, and I really do hate to admit this, Canadians are embarrassingly gutless.
Posted 28/06/07 at 3:43 PM EDT Alert an Editor Link to Comment
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Media Advisory
The following is a Media Advisory from the office of Alexa McDonough, MP Halifax and NDP Foreign Affairs Critic. Those of you following this case know that Ms. McDonough has been working hard on this case with Mr. Munroe for a just resolution.
Media Advisory
June 26, 2007
SANDY MUNROE TRAVELS TO U.K. TO BE
WITH HIS WIFE HELI MUNROE
HALIFAX - ‘Sandy’ (Alasdair) Munroe, husband of Helena (Heli) Anna Munroe will travel to the United Kingdom later this week where he will be reunited with his wife, nineteen months after she was removed from their family home here in Nova Scotia. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003, Mrs. Munroe is now receiving care in a health facility in the north of England. Despite this anguishing ordeal, Mr. Munroe looks forward to his upcoming visit and remains optimistic that it can lead to “What is best for Heli”.
In the press conference Mr. Munroe will be accompanied by geriatrician Dr. Daniel Carver, Heli Munroe’s physician, who will be prepared to address medical aspects of her case. Alexa McDonough, MP Halifax and NDP Foreign Affairs Critic, who recently visited Heli Munroe in the U.K., will speak about the public policy implications of her case.
Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Camp Hill Veterans’ Memorial Building
The Centre for Health Care of the Elderly (CHCE)
Room 2655 – Second Floor
5955 Veteran’s Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS
(Corner of Robie Street & Jubilee Road)
- 30 -
For information, please contact:
Ms. Kelly Wilson, Assistant to Alexa McDonough, MP 902-426-8691
Ms. Johnann LeBlanc, Assistant to Dr. Ken Rockwood, M.D.902-473-8631
Media Advisory
June 26, 2007
SANDY MUNROE TRAVELS TO U.K. TO BE
WITH HIS WIFE HELI MUNROE
HALIFAX - ‘Sandy’ (Alasdair) Munroe, husband of Helena (Heli) Anna Munroe will travel to the United Kingdom later this week where he will be reunited with his wife, nineteen months after she was removed from their family home here in Nova Scotia. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2003, Mrs. Munroe is now receiving care in a health facility in the north of England. Despite this anguishing ordeal, Mr. Munroe looks forward to his upcoming visit and remains optimistic that it can lead to “What is best for Heli”.
In the press conference Mr. Munroe will be accompanied by geriatrician Dr. Daniel Carver, Heli Munroe’s physician, who will be prepared to address medical aspects of her case. Alexa McDonough, MP Halifax and NDP Foreign Affairs Critic, who recently visited Heli Munroe in the U.K., will speak about the public policy implications of her case.
Date: Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Camp Hill Veterans’ Memorial Building
The Centre for Health Care of the Elderly (CHCE)
Room 2655 – Second Floor
5955 Veteran’s Memorial Lane, Halifax, NS
(Corner of Robie Street & Jubilee Road)
- 30 -
For information, please contact:
Ms. Kelly Wilson, Assistant to Alexa McDonough, MP 902-426-8691
Ms. Johnann LeBlanc, Assistant to Dr. Ken Rockwood, M.D.902-473-8631
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Heli Will Be Getting Visits
Heli will soon be visited by her husband Sandy, who will arrive in London on June 30/07!!
Billingham Grange has agreed to facilitate visits.
Sandy will be travelling with his brother DM, and Heli's colleague and friend CBS.
My hope is that the UK government will work with Canadian High Commission in London to encourage the hospital to allow Heli to return home. She deserves to be cared for by her family in Nova Scotia as she wished, not in a nursing home in UK.
Billingham Grange has agreed to facilitate visits.
Sandy will be travelling with his brother DM, and Heli's colleague and friend CBS.
My hope is that the UK government will work with Canadian High Commission in London to encourage the hospital to allow Heli to return home. She deserves to be cared for by her family in Nova Scotia as she wished, not in a nursing home in UK.
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