I have 3 sons that am am proud of and love in equal portions. Tom, Sam and Robert have each in their own way inspired me as they grew and became adult men.
L to R - Sam, Robert and Tom
But this brief Blog I devote to Sam.
Sam and his son Izaak
Sam has chronic pain - this` is complex in its presentation - suffice it to say he is in constant pain that can vary from nagging to intense. Throughout his teens and young adulthood he has struggled and battled with this disease. Times have been tough, some times very tough, but Sam is a survivor. That is all I will say, it is for Sam to tell his own story.
In the last few days I have had occasion to applaud Sam.
I observed Sam in a very formal and challenging meeting and watched him deport himself with maturity and integrity.
And today I read what Sam wrote in Social Media. I was proud of his narrative.
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SAM BARTON on the NHS
"Over the years I have received a significant amount of health care on the NHS for a long term and still persisting medical condition. At the bleakest times during my early teens, the difficulties involved were overwhelming. But there was always the peace of mind for my parents in knowing that my health care would be financially covered. The lose of the national health system cannot be measured in the terms of "adequate health care" but will measured in the terms of loss of life. To support privatisation will be to support Discrimination, discrimination against those who have been dealt a bad hand or those who struggle to fend for themselves through no fault of their own, for whatever reason. It will be to Discriminate against those who have never wanted for more than enough food on the table and a warm roof over their heads at night. The NHS in this country should be a right and not a privilege for the privileged few. I have grown up being taught and believing that we all have as much right to adequate heath care as anyone else, rich or poor. If we lose the NHS we lose the greatest thing this country has at a time when this country has little right to use the word "great" in its name. And we will measure it's loss in lives rather than pound coins."
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Today Sam is 28 Years Old. He is still in pain. He lives with his lovely partner Nicola, and is a perfect father to his son Izaak.
