It was a photograph that drove a number of people to tears. Wolfram Gottschalk, 83, and his wife, Anita, 81, became viral after their granddaughter shared their sad tale with the world. It got 6,000 shares.
The old couple separated when they found no room together in an old age home at Surrey, British Columbia, according to Ashley Baryik, 29. She posted their photograph on Facebook on Tuesday of her "Omi and Opi" sobbing and holding hands. She said it was "the saddest photo I have ever taken."
Wolfram was diagnosed with lymphoma, so he is on a waiting list to go to his wife's home. Baryik said her grandparents got separated in January when her grandfather was hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
As he waited, his wife Anita also applied for "senior assisted living," hoping to join him. She got a place in the home first even as her husband was transported to a transitional facility. Since then he has been waiting for an open bed in the home.
"It's heartbreaking for my grandmother, she wants to bring her husband home every night. The old couple has been separated for eight months, so they weep every time they can see each other," said Baryik.
It's been emotionally draining for both of them.
Baryik put out an appeal for help when Wolfram was diagnosed with lymphoma this week. It brought a sense of urgency to bring the couple together.
They seemed to be a victim of backlogs and delays by our healthcare system, according to the family.
While appealing to the public, Baryik explained that the requests to Fraser Health seemed to have fallen on deaf ears for the last eight months.
But on Thursday, a spokesperson contacted them to inform them that finding a bed for the grandfather was the number one priority.
Even though she is grateful for the funds raised for the grandparents, Baryik said she is not interested in money.
"Taking money defeats the purpose of fighting for families who can't afford privatised beds. We want everyone's focus to be on fixing the system rather than raising money and putting a band-aid on the issue," said Baryik.
"Now with the news of cancer, our fight to have them in the same facility is even more urgent. They deserve this! Financially, physically and emotionally exhausted, me and my family are begging for your help my friends. We want justice for my grandparents who after 62 years together deserve to spend their last moments in the same building," Baryik concluded her plea."
