Now 77 years old, Mr Vile was 19 when he was accidentally shot on a property near Gulgong, rendering him a paraplegic.

In a tragic twist of fate, the bullet ricocheted off Mr Vile’s collar bone and severed his spinal chord. Since then he has lived in a ward at the hospital, metres away from the vegetable garden he planted with his father at the age of 12.

After the accident, he was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and once recovered, the only place for him to go was an old man’s home in Lidcombe. The family felt it was not suitable and it was agreed that Hamen would live at Gulgong Hospital near his family.

There he has remained until now.

At the time of the accident, there was no rehabilitation available for people with these injuries.

For a few years, he ran a second hand shop in Gulgong, but medical problems meant he had to give it up.

Mr Vile was born near Gulgong and now his only connection to the outside world is regular visits by his brother, Vincent and other locals who live nearby.

It is a life nobody can imagine, but, for him, it is a safe, secure refuge where he feels at home.

The prospect of relocation, by the Greater Western Area Health Service, is a terrifying prospect for Mr Vile who says staying there means so much that he would give up his life for it.

“I call it home after all these years,” he said.

Mr Vile’s sister, Lauren Becker, who lives in Sydney, says Hamen has spent the past 58 years in the hospital amusing himself.

“He likes to read books, watch television and listen to the radio.

“His brother provides him with emotional support and he does not require recreational therapy nor equipment.

“Hamen has full control of his faculties and knows exactly what is going on,” she said.