During the World Union of Wound Healing Societies meeting in Paris this year Evonne Fowler's husband, who suffers from Alzheimers disease, went missing for 3 days. Organisers, Officers, and delegates at the meeting were all involved in informing the authorities, providing support for Evonne and looking for Ed. Evonne believes the support and help of the International Wound Community illustrates that we are of ‘one mission, many faces, one family’. Here follows her story.
‘We had spent much time thinking, planning, and looking forward to our trip to Europe. When we arrived, four of us, Ed, my aunt, my cousin and myself spent a week touring in Germany. We arrived in Paris all looking forward to seeing many friends at the huge gathering of the world wide wound care community. The first evening was magical as we all toured Paris by night.
The second day my aunt and cousin left for a tour of the river and I went to the conference. On returning to our hotel at around 5pm my husband was not in the hotel but had apparently left some time in the morning. By early evening I was extremely worried as my husband is a very quiet private man who would not normally venture out on his own. At 11pm I attempted to walk to the local police station but I also became lost. Fortunately two ladies from the United Kingdom could see I was distressed and accompanied me to the police station. Despite the language difficulties I, with the help of my new friends, explained the situation and a missing persons report was filed.
The next morning there was still no sign of my husband. I went to the conference centre hoping he may have arrived there as he had information on the conference in his pocket, I was not in luck but Michael Bia the conference organiser, when told of my situation, did everything he could to help. He made all of his staff available to me. He contacted the police, the embassy and the hospitals seeking help and information. He and others who knew Ed drove around Paris looking for him.
The next day – still no sign – we made up a missing persons poster and distributed these in areas we felt Ed might have travelled to. The next day with still no news the stress was too much and I became very tearful during another visit to the police station. The conference organisers sent a member of staff to support me and act as a translator.
Later that day we returned to the hotel to receive a message from the embassy that my husband had been found on the other side of Paris. We were reunited and I have to admit it was a very emotional experience. Ed had fallen and injured his hand and face. Like me, however, he had found a good Samaritan who had helped him and cleaned his wounds before dressing them and calling the police.
It appears that Ed had wandered for 3 days sleeping in parks and doorways but because of language difficulties he couldn’t make people understand what his problem was and where he wanted to go.
A wound care conference brought us to Paris. A wound brought Ed and I back together. I know that French people are kind and compassionate. I believe it was the collective prayers and support of our families and friends at home, colleagues at the conference and all the wonderful people who helped us through this ordeal.
Belonging to our wound care community has always been special to me. As chairperson of the Symposium for Advanced Wound Care (SAWC), I know what a tremendous amount of work is required to run a conference. Michael Bia and Luc Téot still found time to help me. Attending the WUWHS meeting experiencing the help and support of so many people was incredible. Heart felt thanks to all.'