Couple Divorces to Save Wife's Life
Couple Divorces to Save Wife's Life
Although the above headline often (unfortunately) accompanies domestic abuse stories, this one's a bit different. Geneva Sharpe, 47, found herself in a life-threatening battle against advanced throat cancer, reports ABCnews.com.
When the Indiana resident was diagnosed, she faced a difficult surgery to remove her larynx. But with her husband's disability checks coming in regularly, the couple's combined income disqualified Geneva for full Medicaid coverage.
Geneva admitted that the couple's marriage was not perfect (really, whose is?), but she wouldn't have considered divorce had it not been a financial necessity.
This isn't the first time a couple has been forced to choose between marriage and medical benefits. In late October, we covered "Couple Divorced To Pay For Cancer Treatment," the story of Emily and Rudy Friece. The couple had been married more than 50 years, yet was forced to split so that Emily could qualify for bone cancer treatment coverage. Emily, unfortunately, did not survive, although chemotherapy did buy the couple more time together.
In Geneva's case, she did not, in fact, need to get divorced to qualify. According to the Indiana Family and Social Service Administration, Geneva could have taken advantage of the Aged and Disabled Waiver program. The Sharpes were notified of this, however, after they had divorced.
It's unfortunate (and ridiculous) that a woman who requires life-saving medical attention must find loopholes and shortcuts through the red tape in order beat the odds, but Geneva Sharpe told ABC News she would have been dead if not for the divorce.
A dedicated husband will go to great lengths to save his wife. Apparently, sometimes that means leaving her.
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