Heartbroken DUP MLA Jim Wells reveals concern for beloved wife Grace in NI nursing home after strokes rob her of mobility - ‘I do worry about the legacy of all this because no-one can be locked away for 200 days without consequences’

South Down DUP MLA Jim Wells has spoken of the impact on himself, his wife and their family after only being able to see his beloved wife Grace through a window for 200 days.
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Mr Wells said his wife Grace - who suffered devastating strokes in 2015 - has had her way of life “totally disrupted” during the pandemic.

“Grace had lots and lots of things on and this has stopped,” he said.

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“I do worry about the legacy of all this because no-one can be locked away for 200 days without consequences.

3/3/17 PACEMAKER PRESS The DUP's candidate for South Down Jim Wells and his wife Grace. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS3/3/17 PACEMAKER PRESS The DUP's candidate for South Down Jim Wells and his wife Grace. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS
3/3/17 PACEMAKER PRESS The DUP's candidate for South Down Jim Wells and his wife Grace. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS

“But there is no solution because you can’t let people out and you can’t go in”.

Mr Wells - a father of three and grandfather to five - added that since the start of the pandemic his wife “has missed 9 birthdays, including mine and her own, and even worse she has missed the birth of her fifth grandchild”.

Mr Wells added: “Grace has also missed funerals as quite a few people she has known have died.

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“I live now near the nursing home (in Banbridge) and I walk to her window at night and sometimes it can be a very lonely walk.

Press Eye - Lagan Valley Count Centre - 6th May 2016
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Jim Wells chats with his wife Grace after he has been electedPress Eye - Lagan Valley Count Centre - 6th May 2016
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Jim Wells chats with his wife Grace after he has been elected
Press Eye - Lagan Valley Count Centre - 6th May 2016 - Jim Wells chats with his wife Grace after he has been elected

“But there is no solution.

“It has been a very very difficult period of all of our lives. But I have to stand by Grace through it all.

“It is okay when the going is good, but it is not always like that.

“I have to say there have been some very dark nights.

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th  May 2011 - North Ireland Assembly Election Count at Lisburn Leisure Centre - South Down Constituency - 

DUP member for South Down Jim Wells pictured with his wife Grace and other members of the DUP after being elected in Lisburn.

Picture by Kelvin Boyes / PressEye.com -Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th  May 2011 - North Ireland Assembly Election Count at Lisburn Leisure Centre - South Down Constituency - 

DUP member for South Down Jim Wells pictured with his wife Grace and other members of the DUP after being elected in Lisburn.

Picture by Kelvin Boyes / PressEye.com -
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th May 2011 - North Ireland Assembly Election Count at Lisburn Leisure Centre - South Down Constituency - DUP member for South Down Jim Wells pictured with his wife Grace and other members of the DUP after being elected in Lisburn. Picture by Kelvin Boyes / PressEye.com -

“When the nights draw in it gets much harder when it is dark and wet and miserable and you are on your own, you can get very uptight about that.”

Mr Wells said his family have “kept me going”.

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“I am just glad no-one told me at the start it was going to last this length of time,” he added.

“I thought it would have been over a couple of weeks.

“I know I am one of many people feeling like this

“My mother is also in hospital, but we are hoping she gets out soon.

“It has been a difficult time for all of us, particularly with the birth of the second boy.

“Grace has missed all of that.

“And it is irredeemable because you can never get that back. My worry is that the long term damage could be worse than the Coronavirus.”

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Yesterday in a post on Facebook, the DUP MLA said: “It has been exactly 200 days since we have been able to visit Grace in the nursing home.

“If I was being honest I would have to say that this has been a very difficult time for Grace, all her family and friends.

“I never thought for one minute that this would last so long and it is deeply frustrating that there is no end in sight.

“We have to accept why this has had to be done and the protection of the vulnerable residents in care has to take priority but this does not make it any easier for all concerned”.

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A series of comments posted under Mr Wells post reveal how the public empathise with his situation.

Fellow DUP member Adrian McQuillan said: “Jim its a tough time for you and your family my thoughts and prayers are with you all so you can get to visit Grace”.

Another message said: “Thoughts are with you and your family we unfortunately I suppose like many others in same position. All we can do is hope & pray and leave in Gods hands and hope Covid vaccine can be found.”

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