Every so often, Michael shares a story with me. Michael speaks poor English. These stories suck me in and hold me like nothing i’ve ever heard or read.
Michael has eleven children. He is a single dad, his wife has passed away. He lives in the inner suburbs of Sydney. One of his youngest children was 18 months old when Michael noticed he could not get rid of his cold/flu. Michael repeatedly took the child to the doctor, who treated the child with antibiotics and diagnosed a cold.
The child died of pneumonia. The doctor was based on the North Shore and was not a bulk billing doctor.
This was only three years ago.
Michael carries a photo of the little boy. His hair was dark and curly, his eyes dark brown, beautiful little boy. The doctor was sued and Michael describes being given a red letter, saying that it was the doctors fault, and being offered a large sum on money as compensation.
Michael refuses the money, as he said it would be like eating the dead, eating the body of his child, and that by accepting the money he would be unable to meet the little boy in heaven.
