Alberta (Canada) mother with MS gets to keep her children at home

Alberta’s human services minister says he wants to ensure a central Alberta woman can stay with the two young children she is no longer physically able to look after.

The woman, whom CBC will call “Marie” in order to protect her two daughters, 4 and 5, has multiple sclerosis, a disease that attacks the nervous system.

In Marie’s case, MS has slowed her speech and forced her to use a walker to get around.

She said the symptoms became worse in 2009, after the birth of her second daughter. She was no longer able to clean her home, cook meals or bathe her children. A friend is now looking after them.

When Marie approached social services, she said she was told adoption was her only option.

“I think it’s unfair,” Marie told CBC News Monday.

“Just because I’m sick doesn’t mean I love my kids any less.”

Marie’s friend, Kristina Jameson, was outraged by the province’s response and turned to the media and the Internet.

“They’re a family and they are a very strong family and they deserve to be together,” Jameson said.

Jameson set up a Facebook page called Miracle for Marie, which has attracted more than 1,500 followers.

Some followers called for donations to Marie’s cause, while others demanded the province do something to reunite the family.

On Monday, Human Services Minister Dave Hancock said he would review Marie’s case.

“We are here to help families stay together where possible,” Hancock told CBC News.