THe purpose of htis book is to present an honest account, describing the life and death of a mother- my mother, and the long time battles with the machinery of state. The background of my mother\'s life goes back to the early part of the twentieth century and the harsh conditions in which she lived. Like many of the elderly, who have struggled through life and brought up large families with the odds against them, you wuld think that the state would owe them something, when they are no longer able to care for themselves. \'Respect and dignity\' is all they ask for. The government needn\'t worry, \'it costs nowt\'!