Didsbury Review

It has been over two years since

Phyllis and Marcel Proulx have seen

their grandchild.

They have taken the

matter to court in hopes of being granted access, but were denied

by the judge and unless an appeal

is heard their circumstances may

stay that way.

The process has left

them frustrated and angry. But it has

not deterred them from moving

forward.

The Proulx are currently trying to start a local group for

grandparents that are in similar

circumstances. Because their current ordeal has left them feeling

alone they want to try and reach

others so a support network

can be put in place.

"From what I know there isn't a group like this

in the area," said Phyllis, citing

emotional support and a network

of legal answers and advice as reasons for setting up a group.

After receiving the judgment on their bid for visitation rights, read at the

Court of Queen's Bench in Calgary

on Feb. 9, 2001, Phyllis posted it

on a web site she created because she "wanted people to know how

stupid it was."

In the judgment the judge said it was a real loss for the grandchild

not to be able to see the grandparents as many years had

gone into the relationship.

Visitation was denied because "the

Child's day to day life before and after any court ordered visits

with Grandparents would be

made too difficult by Mother (and husband)."

The judge encouraged the grandparents to look Into their

own hearts and recognize if they

truly love the child they should step

away and allow the family to

function the best it can.

The Proulx’s want to appeal the decision but they have yet to receive

the full transcripts of the Feb. 9 case, even though a year has now passed, which has left them even more frustrated. It is that frustration which has furthered their want for

a support group.

Feedback to the web site that was set up by Phyllis have let them know

there are similar grandparents in

similar situations.

The Proulx’s had free and

unscheduled access to the child

based on a mutual agreement with

the grandchild's mother until access was completely terminated in

November 1999 states the judges

decision. According to court records

the Proulx’s had the primary

responsibility for the care of the child at different times including an

approximate eight month period in 1991 and 1992.

The fact that the Proulx’s have been

the primary caregivers to the child

has made it especially tough not

to have visitation rights.

It is so emotionally hard. I sometimes just hang up the

phone and cry. Its hard. Its really

hard. We (were together for such a long time.”