'Forgotten' hepatitis C victims hopes compensation his soon

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'Forgotten' hepatitis C victims hopes compensation his soon

Jul 14, 2006

Gilchrist

Jim Boughton will believe it when he sees it. After contracting hepatitis C through tainted blood nearly 23 years ago, Mr. Boughton is about to receive the compensation he has long been waiting for.In late July, Health Minister Tony Clement is expected to announce more than $1 billion in federal money for Canadians who contracted the disease through tainted blood before 1986 and after 1990.So far, only people who contracted hepatitis C between 1986 and 1990 have been compensated."It's very difficult to get upbeat about it but I'm a very optimistic person," says Mr. Boughton."But until it's in your hands, you can't believe it."In 1983, when he was 33 years old, Mr. Boughton was seriously injured in a car accident and given a blood transfusion. After collapsing in 1984, tests showed he had contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood used in the transfusion. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that infects and can seriously damage the liver. There is treatment but no cure."The most scary part was when I went to the doctor and he looked me in the eye and said I would be lucky to live six months," he explains."The horror we went through in the '80s and '90s, I can't describe it in words."With the help of medications and a liver transplant, Mr. Boughton has outlived his doctor's prediction.Along with taking a physical toll, hepatitis C has taken a financial toll on his life.Mr. Boughton has been unable to work since 1992. With medications, travel expenses, home care and the loss of his job, he figures the disease has cost him more than $100,000."The compensation should be fair and accurate. "Hopefully they make the right decisions for the victims."Over the past two decades, Mr. Boughton has remained optimistic both about the compensation he hopes is coming and his life."You've been dealt the cards and you deal with them. I can't change it. That's why I'm optimistic and upbeat. You can be mad but that's a very tough way to live your life."You have to have an unbelievable will to live."

http://www.mykawartha.com/ka/news/peterborough/story/3593212p-4153415c.html