Sherbrook activist Lisette Joel, who has suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since February 2019, died suddenly on Sunday.
Her husband, former journalist Mario Cowbell, is quiet. “You can fight two cancers and be happy with ALS for 3 years, 1 month and 1 day. I think Lisette is happy,” he told TVA Nouvelles.
Although he admits that the last few months have been very difficult he was too.
“It was hard for me to come to an end, it was so hard. Me, I’m a close boyfriend, not a close help. I loved my wife and took care of her, but I never thought it would be so hard to face ALS as a close boyfriend.”
The younger sister of artist Chloé Sainte-Marie, who celebrated her 62nd birthday on January 26, is known for her determination and fighting spirit.
After battling two cancers, she and her husband Mario Coupe fought against the Quebec government. For months, they tried to persuade him to make available a drug called edarone, which reduces the development of ALS, which affects about 600 people in Quebec.
They were finally successful from April 2020, when the substance was added to the list of drugs under the Quebec Drug Insurance Program.
This achievement makes Chloé Sainte-Marie proud, and she admits that in recent years she has struggled to see her sister suffer the most.
He agreed to share his tribute to TVA Novellas:
Resistance
Pain
Expansion
Pain
The main desire for success
With each stimulus of pain.
My little sister Lisette
Just won the country
Of the rising sun
In full spring awakening.
She took it on herself
Disease burden
With the help of the husband
In Mario Cowboy.
The winners are themselves
For all of Quebec
To be accepted
By political officials
Drug sales
Allowing to treat
ALS … Lou Kehring disease
With the help of who allowed him
To extend Mario’s life
Suddenly for more than a year
To extend hope to all.
Today, I, his sister witness,
I cry with pride for the fight
She did it on behalf of everyone.
Thanks again to Quebec
What did you do.
All I can say is immense pride
I feel proud of my little sister.
