News

First Place Photo shows a joyful reunion

November 11th, 2020

By far the most popular photo in this year’s Points West Living Photo Contest, is this poignant photo from Points West Living Peace River. It features a new resident who is holding her husband for the first time since she moved in a month earlier. COVID visiting restrictions had kept them apart.

Moment of reunion

The photo shows the moment resident Lois Anderson and her husband Allen are reunited after a month of separation. Lois moved in to PWL Peace River in late August 2020, and due to COVID-19 visiting restrictions, Allen was not able to visit and help Lois get settled.

At the time, office administrator Cathy Pollard was fielding Allen’s calls. “Allen would call me every few days to see if things had changed and if visitors were allowed yet. Once he said to me, ‘Why do you have to be so mean?’ Even though I knew he was joking, it made my heart sink. It is extremely tough on family members to not be able to see their loved ones. I couldn’t imagine how that feels.”

Great big hug

“The day finally came when visiting opened up again," Cathy continues, "and Allen was one of the first to book an appointment through our online booking system. He arrived early to do all his screening. When that was completed, he joined Lois in her suite. Her eyes grew big, she rushed to him, threw her arms around him, gave him a great big hug and said how much she loves and misses him.”

She wouldn't let go

That’s when Health Care Aide Breanna Nakonechney took the photo. Breanna provides one-on-one support for Lois, had the presence of mind to capture the reunion on her cell phone. “As soon as Lois saw him she knew exactly who he was. She called out, ‘That's my husband, Allen Anderson!’ and she wouldn't let go.”

Breanna, 18, graduated from the HCA program at Glenmary High School in Peace River, and after doing her practicum at PWL Peace River, she accepted the HCA position supporting Lois. Breanna plans to return to school in the fall of 2021 to pursue a Registered Nursing degree.

2nd and 3rd finishers coming up...

Second prize goes to a photo from PWL Lac La Biche, and the Third prize goes to a photo from PWL Cochrane. Those photos, stories, and winners will be featured in the month-end version of the PWL Newsletter. Thanks to everyone who entered and voted.

Photo: Lois Anderson reunites with her husband Allen at PWL Peace River after a month of COVID-19 imposed isolation. Photo Credit, Breanna Nakonechney, HCA