Couple battles health woes, tough times

Marie and Andrew support each other through failing health, unemployment and tough times. Andrew has been unable to work since 2001. At 51, he suffers from bipolar disorder, diabetes and cardiac problems.

“I had to quit my job because he could not be left alone anymore,” said Marie.

In early 2013, Marie stopped working as a bookkeeper because Andrew was too unwell. At 53, she stays at home because they can’t afford to hire help.

“There was a time my husband would be fainting eight to 10 times a day, so I couldn’t leave him alone even for half an hour,” said Marie.

The couple work through it together and rely on welfare to make ends meet. Marie has three children from a previous marriage and a 14- year- old daughter with Andrew. Her youngest son and their daughter live with them in Laval.

Marie has l earned to budget, but the couple also home- school their daughter. It can be financially difficult at the best of times.

“It’s very hard,” Marie said.

Marie and Andrew are among t housands who will receive a $ 125 cheque from the Gazette Christmas Fund this year.

Marie has developed strategies to cope with Andrew ’s mental health. Suffering from bipolar disorder, Andrew often has uncontrollable bouts of anger and depression.

“He goes from one end of the cycle to the other quickly,” said Marie. “We have to give him time to calm down. Within an hour or two, he’ll be painting or reading a good book.”

Mental illness runs deep in the family, with most of the children and Marie fighting their own battles. It helps to talk and build a support circle — that way they get through it all together with the help of family, friends and faith.

“People are starting to understand what I go through, so they are starting to be able to listen without judging,” Marie said.

For the holiday season, Marie and Andrew will spend it with their children on Christmas Eve. Marie will prepare a turkey and the family will open gifts together.

“We give one little gift because no one can really afford it,” Marie said.

The money will help Marie and Andrew purchase gifts for their four children and spoil their family.

“We’re going to use it to buy little gifts and we’ll use it to buy stuff we all enjoy but can never afford to buy,” said Marie. “I’ll buy a brick of brie and fancy crackers, little things like that just to make it a bit fancy.”