Retired colonel Neil Russell will be able to continue his health care at Parkwood Hospital after overwhelming response from the public to his plight.
Russell served for 33 years, but because he did not serve during the First World War, Second World War or Korean War, he isn’t eligible for the federal Residential Care Program for veterans.
After surgery, the paralyzed former fighter jet pilot with the Canadian Forces was recovering at Parkwood Hospital, but had nowhere to go once discharged.
On Thursday afternoon, the good news came from the office of Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney, that Russell will be able to stay at Parkwood.
Despite the over 30-year-old law that makes care for modern day veterans a provincial responsibility, he will be able to get long-term care.
Parkwood has 37 empty beds for veterans, but Vice-President Elaine Gibson says “The legislation prevents us from admitting patients that do not meet the criteria. They need to have served in World War One, Two or the Korean War.”
Gibson adds “If the rules were different, we would be there to serve our veterans. That’s truly the case.”
The Royal Canadian Legion is lobbying the government to change the existing rules.
Gordon Moore, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion says “We have a resolution that came from Halifax that anyone with a 78 per cent disability that served post-Korea would be eligible for long-term care.”
The issue is expected to become increasingly common as post-Korean War veterans age, but with layoffs at Veterans Affairs Canada, change may be difficult.
“Right now our hands are tied with the government on this particular issue. They're not going to move,” Moore says.
But it appears in this case the government was willing to collaborate to ensure Russell’s care.
Russell tells CTV News he has been told via telephone that he will, in fact, be able to move in to the veterans’ area at Parkwood Hospital.
