Bev and the ‘Bergs: A P.E.I. woman’s dying wish to see icebergs in Newfoundland and Labrador
Taking a trip to Newfoundland and Labrador to see some of the best icebergs the North Atlantic has to offer is a dream for many. People travel from all over the world to our rugged coastline to take in the beauty of a massive shattered piece of glacial ice. That dream is also felt by Bev Stewart, a woman who knows she’s dying.
Bev Stewart is 59-years-old and lives in Prince Edward Island with her devoted husband Kevin. Together they share a big family that’s a constant source of love and support. Bev and Kevin are high school sweethearts, and they unconditionally stand by their vows. Especially the one that reads: in sickness and in health.
“He changed his entire life to mold around whatever Mom needs,” says Bev’s daughter, Tracy Stewart.
Coming to Newfoundland and Labrador to see icebergs was one of the many dreams Stewart had to put on hold when she started facing medical challenges about 10 years ago. What started as a ‘dead’ leg turned into a Primary Lateral Sclerosis, or PLS, diagnosis. PLS is a rare condition that affects the nerves in the brain that control your movement. Stewart is also a breast cancer survivor, and just recently, doctors found a mass in her lung which is suspected to be cancer.
Bev will be turning 60 at the end of this month, and the dream always was to conquer a trip to Newfoundland and Labrador before her 60th birthday. As this birthday could be her last, and health troubles stood in the way before, her family is determined to spend Bev’s 60th birthday with her on an iceberg tour in Twillingate.
“This isn’t just an idea anymore… we have to make this happen,” Tracy says.
They’re trying to get here as a family, in an accessible way that will ensure Bev can live out her dream comfortably. Seven people will be travelling with her, two of those people being caregivers who graciously offered up their time to join the family on their journey.
“Caregivers make my mom feel like she can still make decisions,” she says.
The trip to Newfoundland and Labrador is planned and ready to go, but there’s one minor hiccup. Bev and her crew are set to leave P.E.I. on June 19, with ferry tickets already booked to get them to the island, but it’s that accessible way of transportation that’s standing in their way.
The Stewart family doesn’t want to fundraise, as Bev has faced many health issues over the last few years, they had to fundraise before. At the time, family, friends, loved ones, and their community came together to raise over $20,000. It still feels like too much to the Stewart family, and they don’t want to ask for more, but they’re hoping that their story may reach the right person.
Bev Stewart’s 60th birthday is June 25, and she’s hoping to be here for it. If the Stewart family does make it to Newfoundland and Labrador, they plan to spend Bev’s birthday on an iceberg tour in Twillingate, and hopefully get some family pictures done by a local photographer.
Bev and the Stewart family have a Facebook page started as so many people wanted to be a part of their heartwarming story. You can find them, and follow along on their journey, on their page: Bev and the ‘Bergs.
If nothing else, this whole experience has brought joy to a family who is sadly running out of time together. Bev’s daughter, Tracy Stewart, says the support has been overwhelming, in the best way. The emotional side of it has been so beneficial for Bev, and she smiles so big these days.
“God forbid if something was to happen to her and she never got to NL. All of the good feels that she’s gotten from this… I think that would send her off with such a full soul,” says Tracy.
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