Smiling and laughing
Woman left at Nova Scotia hospital spends Christmas with sister for first time in 57 years
BRIDGEWATER, N.S. – Elaine Flemming wasn’t going to let her husband steal Christmas.
The 73-year-old woman had been staying at the hospital in Bridgewater, N.S., since July 2 after her husband dropped her off because he could no longer look after her personal care on his own and/or couldn’t afford nursing home care.
But on Dec. 15, Flemming packed her bag at the South Shore Regional Hospital and took the train to Ontario to spend the holidays with her sister for the first time in 57 years.
“The hospital staff all shed a tear and gave me a hug. Some of them even gave me a little present before I came up by train all by myself,” Flemming said in a phone interview from Kincardine, Ont.
“It took 36 hours, but I really enjoyed it.”
Flemming’s tone was upbeat and cheery during the conversation as she joked back and forth with her sister.
Reanne Corkum said she hasn’t seen her little sister this happy in a long time.
“She’s smiling and laughing. She’s really doing excellent,” Corkum said.
Flemming said she owes her Christmas cheer to everyone who reached out after her story appeared in The Chronicle Herald in late November.
“I received Christmas cards. I received letters. I received one letter from a man who said he couldn’t help me with money, but felt bad about my story so he reached out,” Flemming said.
Some visitors brought Flemming homemade cookies or money and members of the Santa’s for South Shore Seniors banded together to raise money to buy her a new wheelchair.
“I wasn’t expecting a thing,” Flemming said. “Everyone was so nice.”
The wheelchair will allow Flemming to do “whatever Reanne wants to do.”
“I’m going to take her to see different relatives and we’re just going to drive around the country and shoot the (breeze),” Corkum said.
In the new year, Flemming will travel back to Nova Scotia, where a Nova Scotia Health Authority social worker has set her up with a room at Lohnes Rest Home in Barss Corner, about 30 minutes north of Bridgewater. From there, she will start a new chapter in her life.
“I have absolutely nothing left for Mr. Michael,” Flemming said of her situation with her husband.
“I was hateful, I’ll admit it, but now I’m ready to move on without him.”