Elderly Cornwall man married 54 yrs Pawns wedding ring to buy groceries

[MillieH]

I don't know where to post this. please move as necessary



The incident occurred in Cornwall, Ont., where officers were recently called to a home on a suspected domestic violence incident and instead found an elderly man and his sick wife struggling so much to makes ends meet that he had pawned his wedding ring.
The officers responded by collecting money to purchase the couple some groceries and buy the husband’s ring back.
The story, which has since been picked up by international media, was first reported in the Cornwall Seaway News.
The couple has been married for 54 years and, with his wife suffering Alzheimer’s, the husband was having trouble putting food on the table.
He sold several household items and eventually had to part ways with his wedding ring.
It was surely a tough decision. Which is why it was so heartening to learn that the officers called to the domestic disturbance collected $150 to buy groceries for the couple and another $130 – enough to buy the wedding ring back from the pawn shop and return it to the husband.
The moment went unnoticed, publicly at least, until a local councillor commended them during a council session this week.
"This really shows that our officers have a heart," said Coun. Andre Rivette, according to the Seaway News.
And the kicker? The officers involved do not want a stitch of personal attention.

According to the Hamilton Spectator, those involved have declined to be recognized.

[Dinobuzz]

Quite the story! Wonder who & why a domestic violence call was made.....

[MillieH]

There must be couponers nearby who could leave some food on their doorstep.. Violence is often a part of alzheimers unfortunately.. the wife was probably upset his ring was gone..

[SharonMe]

That's so sad. I hope they will be getting long term help.

[Patty Smyth]

There must be couponers nearby who could leave some food on their doorstep.. Violence is often a part of alzheimers unfortunately.. the wife was probably upset his ring was gone..

Having dealt with Alzheimers directly sometimes it is not the sufferer of the disease that is violent many times caregivers have no coping skills. The husband being of a generation that views mental illness in a different way than that of today's generation it may be the case in this instance. It's all very sad and a statement about our society in that we do not know how to deal with this growing problem. It's epidemic.

Very happy the police could help out but what about long term? The woman may need placement.

[Natalka]

What a nice story, and so kind of the officers!

[toban]

I'm so glad the officers stepped in to help the couple. I hope the couple will have some supports put in place or an agency steps forward to help them in the long term.

I agree with Patty. At my former home, a elderly neighbour down the street, had a wife with alzheimers. They also had home care come in. Apparently he would become agitated and hit his wife when she had her moments. After many complaints she was placed in a facility. Nobody likes to see someone placed but for her safety it was needed.

[Shwa Girl]

That's so sad. I hope they will be getting long term help.

another part of the story in the Ottawa Citizen said the officers contacted the Alzheimer’s Society and the Community Care Access Centre to get help for the couple

[macw1960]

Hoping they get long term help and how nice of the police to step in and help.

[terry2144]

What a touching story! I'm glad they've been referred for help. Who knows what happened. Caregivers can get overwhelmed but those with this disease can be quite irrational. When I was a psw I had some good ducking skills and avoided a couple of punches. It's such a sad thing.

[avoncallingu]

another part of the story in the Ottawa Citizen said the officers contacted the Alzheimer’s Society and the Community Care Access Centre to get help for the couple

Unfortunately, in our area, I'm not sure if it is across Ontario, CCAC workers went on strike today. I support unions but I was worried about people like these folks who would "slip through the cracks" until the strike is over. Hope some neighbours can help!

[travel-mum]

Great story! I know personally that Cornwall Ontario often gets a bad rap, but there are some great people there. In fact, Cornwall supports the Children's Treatment Center for children and their families who have suffered from abuse. People come from all around Eastern Ontario to go to the Center and get help, but the Center does not get ANY government funding. The people of Cornwall and area fully support it themselves, along with other sponsors.

[ticul]

Awwwwwwwwwwww, a sad/good story. It is very sad but that is the reallity. They need financial help and support at home for the sick one. Lots of them dont have family members to help them wich makes them more vulnable. Hope with this story that this will bring some positive change and have more help for them. We are lucky, that could be any of us. We are bless. Thank you so much for sharing this story. Stories like this make me appreciate/greatful for my life................

[jasperandchar]

sad story, glad that someone was able to step in and lend a helping hand, kudos to the officers for raising the funds and raising awareness that these things happen in our own back yard sadly

[johnwick]

It's quite a sad story, how come the government doesn't help them?