Dominic was born in Hendon, Sunderland, and has lived in the area all his life. He went to work in ‘the pit’ aged 14. The colliery closed down briefly during the Second World War and he worked in a power station. Afterwards he returned to the pit and remained there for the rest of his working life.
He retired due to ill health as he had emphysema caused by his working conditions and has successfully claimed for compensation. He married and had six children, but his wife became ill with cancer and has since died.
Subsequently, Dominic was also diagnosed with cancer. He now lives in sheltered housing with the help and support of his family.
What do you feel about your illness today?
"Nothing, nothing really. I feel good, that’s all I can say, I feel good. Maybe later on in life, as my doctor said, ‘You will go very slow,’ right. He says, ‘So do not worry yourself. It’ll go very slow'. Because, he says, ‘the age you are, we’ve caught it, and that’s it’."
It seems your GP has been very supportive?
"Oh yeah, he is. Oh, I never go up to see the GP, the GP comes and sees me. Ah yes. Never go up. I order everything on the phone, what I need."
You first started to the hospice one day a week, on a Friday and now you go on a Tuesday as well. How do you find both days for you?
"Oh, it’s all right, champion. Yeah, I’m getting to know somebody else, you see. I only knew the lads from the Friday, the only one I knew, Bruce and the lad what I always sit beside, Mike. Only knew him from the Christmas party, y’know, that’s the only time I knew them. And, well as I say, now I’m getting to know other people."
