A local family is feeling blessed by the generosity of the community this season. They have received much support, including an anonymous $800 donation, to pay for the birth of their daughter.
Despite living in Canada for two years, Ksenija Vinogradova was forced to pay for prenatal care and hospital bills for her daughter Audrey Alla Bujold, born December 2 in St. Joseph's Hospital, Estevan. Vinogradova is not yet a permanent resident and has been living with her fiancé Andrew Bujold, a Canadian citizen, for over a year in Weyburn.
The irony of the predicament that the family was in is that once born, Audrey became a Canadian citizen, entitled to the same free healthcare that all Canadians enjoy. The family spoke with MP Ed Komarnicki and Health Canada to try to get financial support, but none came.
Vinogradova said that the medical bills were quite expensive, including the hospital bill that resulted from Audrey's birth, which was $2,100 per day. To cut costs, Vinogradova and her fiancée stayed in a hotel in Estevan until the last moments leading up to Audrey's birth.
She said that Dr. A. Christey of Estevan, Dr. J. Warren of Weyburn, The Family Place and Brady's Oilfield (where Andrew works) were very supportive of the family during their ordeal.
"I don't know what we would have done without all that help," said Vinogradova. "People are so nice here, in Weyburn and Canada, in general."
Vinogradova compared her ordeal to a Christmas story for the 21st century.
"We've been fighting the government and stayed at an inn and people have been giving us gifts, but we had a girl," laughed Vinogradova.
Vinogradova has visitor status in Canada. She emigrated from Latvia over two years ago to Quebec and moved from there to Weyburn. Her son Christopher attends Mini-Go, while her son C.J. lives with family in Quebec.
