Fliss Cramman doesn't think she would survive deportation to U.K.

A hospitalized 33-year-old woman facing deportation from Nova Scotia to the U.K. says she's terrified of what could happen to her ifshe's forced out of Canada.

"I've been here 25 years of my life. My kids are here, my family is here, everything I know is here,"Fliss Cramman said Tuesdayfrom her room in Dartmouth General Hospital.

"I would be lost. I don't think I would be able to survive in England. And that's the sad part."

Crammanwas born in England, buther parents moved thefamilyto Ontario when she waseight.

In January 2014, she was sentenced to 27 months in prison for trafficking heroin and property offences, crimes she said were fuelled by addiction to drugs.

Under hospital guard

Crammanwas released on parole in June, but immediately arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency to start the deportation process.

She's been under guard in hospital since August, when she suffered a perforated boweland needed multiple followup surgeries due to complications.

For several weeks, Nova Scotia corrections officers keptCrammanshackled to her hospital bed.She was unchained afterNova ScotiaJustice Minister DianaWhalenintervened.

Crammanwells up when she looks at the newspaper clipping she keeps beside her bed.

"It went right to the minister It made me feel like I touched somebody's heart,"she said.

Crammansaidshe isn't used to receiving support and has always had to fight for everything.

Rough upbringing

According to the Elizabeth Fry Society, Cramman became a ward of the court around age 12, but no one secured her Canadian citizenship.

According to documents from the Parole Board of Canada, Cramman suffered from the effects of violence and alcoholism in her home.

As a minor, she also suffered violent sexual abuse outside her home.

The Elizabeth Fry SocietysaidCramman is being punished by a system that was supposed to care for her.

"Fliss was failed by the state who had a duty to parent her when she was in their care through child protection services, and they neglected to get her citizenship,"said spokesperson Emma Halpern.

Halpern saidCramman is at risk of being deported next month, despite the facther surgeon and health-care team believe it's essential for her to stay in Canada for a year to followup on her medical care, including a colostomy reversal procedure.

Halpern, with the help of the Halifax Refugee Clinic, is drafting an application for Cramman to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

However, Halpern saidCramman can be deported at any time during the two-year review process.

The Elizabeth Fry Society has offered to house her in Cape Breton with access to mental health programming and other supports, but Halpern said she can't move therebecause no government agency will cover the costs of her continuing medical care.

'What more makes you a Canadian?'

Crammanlost her health coverage when she was placed under an immigration removal order.

The CanadaBorder Services Agency will only pay for medical expenses while she's in custody.

Meanwhile, Cramman saidshe wants to continue her education once she's recovered. She earnedher GED while she was in prison.

She saidwhile her passport is from the U.K., she's aCanadian.

"I have a Canadian accent ...I apologize after everything. Even if I stub my toe, I say I'm sorry. What more makes you a Canadian?" said Cramman.