An elderly couple from Surrey, British Columbia, in Canada have appeared in a photo that has broken millions of hearts across the globe, ABC News reports. In the photo, 83-year-old Wolf Gottschalk is seen sitting on a wheelchair weeping. In front of him, on a sofa, is his wife of 62 years, 81-year-old Anita Gottschalk, also weeping.
Wondering why?
For the first time in six decades, the two have been forced to live apart for an extended period of time after they were moved to separate facilities. While the plan was to move the couple to the same care home, the deteriorating health of Wolf meant that he had to be kept in a different transitional facility, separate from Anita. For the couple who had stayed together all their lives, staying apart even for a day is heartbreaking. In an interview to a local media outlet, the 81-year-old Anita tells a reporter.
“We want to be able to spend time together and do things together, even if it’s just a walk in the park. We don’t have much time left.”
The heartbreaking image of the elderly couple in love and in tears was shared on Facebook and has since then been shared by thousands of people across the world.
Ashley Bartyik of #SurreyBC posts photo of grandparents emotional after forced to live apart in separate care homes pic.twitter.com/yhsYgtMmgs
— Shelby Thom (@ShelbyThom980) August 24, 2016
According to reports, Wolf had to be placed in a transitional facility owing to his poor health. Anita on the other hand was lodged at the Residence at Morgan Heights, a long-term home located quite far away from where Wolf is. The family, knowing how much the couple miss each other, drives Anita to Wolf every alternate day so they could see each other. It is a 40-minute drive one way. However, the family still thinks the separation is too much to handle for both Anita and Wolf.
https://www.facebook.com/ABCNews/photos/p.10154718311133812/10154718311133812/?type=3&permPage=1
Ashley Bartyik, the couple’s granddaughter, in an interview to ABC News said,
“As soon as he sees my grandmother he starts crying and calling her nickname, Mouse. They have beautiful conversations and it provides a sense of clarity for him.”
One of the reasons Wolf has been placed in a different facility is because he suffers from dementia which the family fears may affect his memory soon. As of now, however, he does not have any trouble remembering his partner of 62 years. However, family members are worried that if Wolf’s condition worsen, they may be kept apart much longer. To makes things more grim, on Tuesday, Wolf was diagnosed with lymphoma.
“His time is limited even more now. We’re just terrified about what will happen if this goes on much longer,” Ashley said.
The now famous photo of the couple was also posted on Facebook by Ashley, who says she is frustrated at the lack of answers from the local health authority that is supposed to help them out.
“We love the fact that we have free healthcare but there’s a broken and underfunded system here for our elders that needs to be brought to light.I know that it’s hard to please everybody. I know they’re trying to do good. I’d just love to have him in my place. That way I can feed him, I can look after him, I can take him out for a walk.”
Following the massive reaction that the image received online, on Wednesday, one of the facilities assured to the family members that they are working on some measures to get the couple spend the rest of their lives together. Tasleem Juma, a spokesperson for one of the organizations, told CTV News in an emailed statement, “We certainly understand how heartbreaking this is for the family. It’s upsetting for us as well. We continue to work to reunite this couple and hope to do so in the next few weeks.”
[Image via Facebook]