But Michael O’Sullivan has an extraordinary story.

Not so long ago, he was on his death bed but now raises money for dementia, using his gift of a sweet voice.

He was singing outside Coles in Glen Innes last weekend. Next weekend, he’s in Armidale and then back in Glen Innes the following weekend.

He arrived at the McLean Care Village in Inverell on April 7, 2017, transferred from Armidale District Hospital by ambulance. He had come to spend the final days of his life in palliative care after suffering from a long illness. 

He was now in a bed, slowly dying. But there was a strength of determination rooted in his heart and a strong faith in God. Through the wonderful care provided by the nurses, aides, all the staff in McLean’s Chisholm section, and the support of friends hell bent on helping him regain his health, Michael slowly began to recover. Michael believes that he owes his life to these people.

He has now moved to independent living and with his new-found freedom, he set about making sure he knew every individual in the facility and became aware of their needs and concerns.

Horticulture is another of Michael’s passions. He undertook the task of renewing many of the resident’s gardens and propagating plants, sometimes with the help of other residents who found that working in the garden gave them a new lease of life. 

Music remains Michael’s great passion in life. Teaming up with a brilliant Irish guitarist whose partner is in high dependency, and an ex-school teacher, music can be heard on a daily basis in a courtyard under what Michael has dubbed the ‘Tree of Knowledge’. 

Michael himself would agree he is no angel, and he suffers almost continual pain. Even getting dressed can be an issue but he is grateful: “Like Lazarus, I have been brought back to life”.

What is truly amazing is the way, he displays an easy smile and gentle temperament in the face of all the distress he has known. His music is nice but so is the lesson his life teaches.

If you pass him, listen to his music.

And think about his story of tribulation and how, despite it all, he sings for his supper and for those who suffer dementia like himself.