Family of boy left brain-damaged buy home following compensation payout for medical negligence
The family of a northern beaches boy starved of oxygen at birth have purchased a new home, which caters to his needs, after they received a compensation payment for medical negligence.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The family of a northern beaches boy left severely brain damaged after he was starved of oxygen at birth has received a substantial compensation payment for medical negligence.
Roki Mills, 5, of Newport, was without oxygen for at least 45 minutes when mum Ina suffered complications during labour.
Details of the defendant and amount are not allowed to be disclosed as part of the settlement.
But Mrs Mills and husband Dave, both 43, who have devoted their lives to helping Roki and fundraising for treatment, say they have just bought a family home in Newport they can renovate to meet his needs.
The compensation money will buy lifting equipment so they move him around easier and help get him in and out of the shower and car.
It will also fund therapies and provide some morning respite care, so Mrs Mills can take her other children to school.
She will continue to be Roki’s main carer for the rest of his life.
“I had real trouble taking the money because it felt like I was saying what happened to him is OK,” Mrs Mills said.
“I would much rather he was well and running around. But the money will help give him the best.”
She said the past five years had been a struggle with only one household earner to pay the rent and travelling abroad for treatment, but the community had stepped in and offered time and money.
“Roki stands tall on the shoulders of the community,” Mrs Mills said.
“Where would we be without the people of the northern beaches? We really want to express our gratitude.”
The youngster was born with no muscle control, tone or co-ordination, painful spasms and dangerous seizures.
Despite his severe disabilities — he cannot feed himself, talk or walk — treatment and therapies have helped ease symptoms.
Mrs Mills, who also has two girls, Ruby, 6, and Rosie, 2, said they had 160 amazing volunteers on a roster who took turns helping with Roki’s daily exercises. He needs several people to move his limbs at the same time and one to move his head.
Even Simon Duckworth from Beaches Realestate and Marty and Sue Cowper, the owners of the property they bought, did them a massive favour by extending the sale contract several times until the compensation claim came through.
Mrs Mills said her son’s plight had instilled in her and her husband a relentless drive to “give him the best possible life”.
“At first we wanted to fix him, but now we are looking at what he has taught us,” she said.
“We feel there are great things to come in Roki’s life.”