Handmade memento brings Island couple comfort in care facility during COVID-19

Outside a care facility in Summerside P.E.I., an unusual figurine peaks out near one of the trees a papier mchJesus.

It was placedthere byPauline Doucette, whose parents recently moved into Wedgewood Manor.

The replicawas made by Doucette's father Patrick a few years ago when his wife Jeanwas diagnosed with dementia.

"She's pretty spiritual and every time she prays she'd keep her eyes on that statue," Patrick said.

Doucette said before the COVID-19 outbreak, going to church was a regular part of her mother's routine and something they enjoyed doing together.

Due to COVID-19, churches across the province have cancelledin-person gatherings and the province has alsodiscontinuedvisitations at P.E.I.'s long-term care and communitycare facilities.

When the couple moved into the care facility,Doucette said her mother kept askingwhen they wouldbe able to go mass again.

"With her dementia, she would call me quite often and say 'when am I going to be able to see Jesus again?'" she said.

"And I'd say, 'well mom, soon this will be over and I'll be able to pick you up and take you to church.'"

But in the meantime, Doucette said she wanted to do something to bring her mother a little reminder of home and of the comfort that going to church together used to bring her.

So. Doucettesaid she had anidea to bringthepapier mchstatue, which stands at about 1.5 metres, to her parents.

"I carried him up one day in the car. He had quite a ride with me."

Doucette said she then tied the Jesus tothe tree, knocked on thewindow and told her mom to look outside.

"She said 'Oh my God it's Jesus!'"

"Her and dad were just so excited about it. She's so happy, giving dad a big kiss."

The couple hasbeen married for 56 years and Doucette said they're lucky to be sharing thesame room in the manor.

"First of all, there wasn't any room for dad," she said.

"By divine miracle we all say, and from mom's prayers, somehow a room became available that they could actually share," she said.

'We have to have faith that it will get better'

Doucette said her parents are soul-mates.

"You name it, they've been through all of it," she said.

"True love through bad times, good times."

When asked about their relationship, Patrick said the couple "get along pretty good."

"She's got a heart of gold, that's one thing. I've never, never, never seen a person so loving as her," he said.

Doucette said even though they have each other, the gesture of bringing the papier mchJesus to her parents was her way of providinga little more comfortduring this uncertain time.

"That whole moment for me was just a reminder that you know, there's always something to be grateful for," she said.

"We have to have faith that it will get better."

COVID-19: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Cough.
• Tiredness.

  But more serious symptoms can develop, including difficulty breathing and pneumonia, which can lead to death.

  Health Canada has built aself-assessment tool.

  What should I do if I feel sick?

  Isolate yourself and call 811. Do not visit an emergency room or urgent care centre to get tested. A health professional at 811 will give you advice and instructions.

  How can I protect myself?

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean regularly touched surfaces regularly.

• Practisephysical distancing.

More detailed information on the outbreak is available on thefederal government's website.

More COVID-19 stories from CBC P.E.I.