Wally and Billie Wade at Yeltana Nursing Home in Whyalla last night.
She and her husband had an emotional reunion last night in their home town, when Mrs Wade moved into the Yeltana Nursing Home. "It's lovely to have her back," Mr Wade, 88, said with a tear in his eye. "I'm glad to be back," Mrs Wade replied, with a kiss.
Mr Wade has seen his wife only three times since February but she now is living within 1km of their home.
Mrs Wade's trip back to Whyalla added drama to the saga. Her family was unsure if she was returning by road or plane. Initially, she was expected to arrive by road at midday, then they were told she would be flown into Whyalla by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Eventually, after calls by her family, Mrs Wade returned to Whyalla in an ambulance by road, arriving about 6pm. The couple's daughter, Andrae Heron, described the saga as a "comedy of errors".
"I'm just glad to have mum back home and, instead of being 2 1/2 hours away, she's only a five-minute drive away and we can see her whenever we want," Mrs Heron said. Despite his obvious elation, Mr Wade warned his fight for extra aged care places in Whyalla had only just begun.
"I want to see nursing homes everywhere. This was a campaign for the people, not just us," he said. "I don't want to see people sent all over Australia because there is nowhere to put them. As far as I'm concerned, the Federal Government doesn't like old people. We're not wanted because it costs them money and they don't like it."
By Matt Williams,
The Advertiser
June 1, 2006
AUSTRALIA: After 66 Years, You Can't Beat True Love
WHYALLA, South Australia (The Advertiser), June 1, 2006:
They have been unwillingly separated for three months but last night Billie and Wally Wade were back together again. The Whyalla couple was inseparable for 66 years of married life before falling victims to aged care shortages in February. Mrs Wade, 92, suffering from dementia, had to be moved to the nearest available nursing home. That was nearly 300km away at Kadina on Yorke Peninsula.
Wally and Billie Wade at Yeltana Nursing Home in Whyalla last night.
She and her husband had an emotional reunion last night in their home town, when Mrs Wade moved into the Yeltana Nursing Home. "It's lovely to have her back," Mr Wade, 88, said with a tear in his eye. "I'm glad to be back," Mrs Wade replied, with a kiss.
Mr Wade has seen his wife only three times since February but she now is living within 1km of their home.
Mrs Wade's trip back to Whyalla added drama to the saga. Her family was unsure if she was returning by road or plane. Initially, she was expected to arrive by road at midday, then they were told she would be flown into Whyalla by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Eventually, after calls by her family, Mrs Wade returned to Whyalla in an ambulance by road, arriving about 6pm. The couple's daughter, Andrae Heron, described the saga as a "comedy of errors".
"I'm just glad to have mum back home and, instead of being 2 1/2 hours away, she's only a five-minute drive away and we can see her whenever we want," Mrs Heron said. Despite his obvious elation, Mr Wade warned his fight for extra aged care places in Whyalla had only just begun.
"I want to see nursing homes everywhere. This was a campaign for the people, not just us," he said. "I don't want to see people sent all over Australia because there is nowhere to put them. As far as I'm concerned, the Federal Government doesn't like old people. We're not wanted because it costs them money and they don't like it."
By Matt Williams,
The Advertiser
Wally and Billie Wade at Yeltana Nursing Home in Whyalla last night.
She and her husband had an emotional reunion last night in their home town, when Mrs Wade moved into the Yeltana Nursing Home. "It's lovely to have her back," Mr Wade, 88, said with a tear in his eye. "I'm glad to be back," Mrs Wade replied, with a kiss.
Mr Wade has seen his wife only three times since February but she now is living within 1km of their home.
Mrs Wade's trip back to Whyalla added drama to the saga. Her family was unsure if she was returning by road or plane. Initially, she was expected to arrive by road at midday, then they were told she would be flown into Whyalla by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Eventually, after calls by her family, Mrs Wade returned to Whyalla in an ambulance by road, arriving about 6pm. The couple's daughter, Andrae Heron, described the saga as a "comedy of errors".
"I'm just glad to have mum back home and, instead of being 2 1/2 hours away, she's only a five-minute drive away and we can see her whenever we want," Mrs Heron said. Despite his obvious elation, Mr Wade warned his fight for extra aged care places in Whyalla had only just begun.
"I want to see nursing homes everywhere. This was a campaign for the people, not just us," he said. "I don't want to see people sent all over Australia because there is nowhere to put them. As far as I'm concerned, the Federal Government doesn't like old people. We're not wanted because it costs them money and they don't like it."
By Matt Williams,
The Advertiser
