N.S. women with chronic illnesses say court decision, premier’s promise could change lives

Two Nova Scotia women with chronic health conditions, Crystal Ellingsen and Jennifer Brady, are still processing the implications of a groundbreaking court decision and a surprising change of heart from Premier Tim Houston. The two women had filed a joint judicial review against the Nova Scotia Department of Health after being repeatedly denied access to out-of-province care for their respective conditions.

Crystal Ellingsen, who suffers from lipedema, a condition that causes tissue buildup in her arms and legs, took drastic measures to seek treatment in Germany after being denied by the province. The surgeries she underwent have significantly improved her quality of life but left her in substantial debt. Jennifer Brady, who has lymphedema, a condition that causes fluid accumulation in her legs, also faced financial hardship after having a procedure in Tokyo that was denied by the province.

Last Friday, a judge ruled in favor of Ellingsen and Brady, stating that they were treated unfairly and the decisions to deny their care were unreasonable. Premier Houston publicly apologized to the women and promised to reimburse their expenses, cover Brady’s future treatment, and conduct a review of the out-of-province claims process.

Both Ellingsen and Brady expressed cautious optimism about the promises made by the Premier. Ellingsen, who had to move to North Carolina with her family to manage the debt incurred from her surgeries, sees this as a chance for a fresh start and hopes to pave the way for others in similar situations. Brady, who had considered medical assistance in dying due to her health struggles and financial burden, is hopeful but remains cynical given her past experiences.

The court decision was described as a significant win for the women, with their lawyer emphasizing the importance of recognizing people’s constitutional rights in healthcare decisions. The judge highlighted the flaws in the province’s policy that led to the denials of out-of-province care for Ellingsen and Brady.

As the women await further developments following the court ruling, they are hopeful that they will finally receive the care they need to improve their quality of life. The Nova Scotia community, including organizations supporting individuals with similar conditions, is cautiously optimistic about the outcome but remains watchful as the promises made by the government are put into action.