Paul Wellman's life changed in 2000 when he had a stroke in his sleep. It was the catalyst for his near death sickness that would affect him for years to come.

Married with a son, his marriage collapsed, ending in divorce.

Sick with Lupus and still in recovery, the cash-strapped dad was thrown in jail after he went into areas for his child support payments.

It's a tragic tale that ChildWatch, a family advocate group, says resembles others where fathers are removed from their children by a system they believe is unfair.

Last night, more than 60 people turned out for the group's public seminar, highlighting the adverse effects parental separation has on a child, at St. Theresa's Hall, titled, "The Missing Years".

Mr. Wellman, a member of the charity, took the opportunity to tell of his ordeal that has left him partially paralysed on his left side.

"My stroke happened when I was still married," he told the audience, "After I woke from it, I managed to drive my son to his nursery.

"I then drove myself to the hospital, where I was later airlifted for treatment in Boston, where I spent seven months.

"I was recovering real fast. Once back home, I was fine. In 2003 I got divorced. In 2005 I was working part time driving taxi after I retired from my job at Marine and Ports where I was for 16 years.

"At another point I became sick, went to my parents house, then to the doctor when I broke out in a coughing spell.

"Next thing, I'm in the ambulance heading to the hospital¿ four months later I awoke in a hospital in Boston, again, with my parents by my side ¿ I was in a coma.

"I returned to Bermuda in a wheelchair in 2005 after being told I had a tumour. In April, 2006 a warrant for my arrest was issued."

Mr. Wellman, wearing a brace and still recovering from the tumour, was told in court, he either pay the child support arrears, or go to jail.

Since he had no money after spending nearly a year in the hospital — he was arrested and bailed by his father.

He was hauled back into court again by his ex-wife and had to spend a night at Westgate because he missed bail.

Milton Richardson, founder and executive director of De Boys' Day Out Club, told the audience he knows first hand what it feels like to grow up separated from a parent.

"I emphathise with the young men who did not have access to their father or did not have them in their lives and that's how our club started.

"The whole purpose of the club was to target single parents and teach these young men how to be respectful and productive, but knew something was still missing.

"The only way these boys can be happy is to be with the people that love them most, I've realised that over the years."

The focal point of last night's seminar was a panel consisting of five young people consisting of teenagers to early adults.

Discussing their individual experiences of having to grow up without a father or mother, the discussions drew many tears of the heartache the youngsters have had plunged onto them.

ChildWatch has repeatedly called on Government and the courts to help enact shared parenting laws as in Denmark.

And, they strongly believe that "greedy" lawyers who do not have the family's best interests at heart are fuelling the present legal system.

Minister of Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler and Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley were in attendance, along with other political leaders.

Mr. Butler told this paper about the event: "When I was appointed Minister of Social Rehabilitation, ChildWatch was the first group who sent for me.

"Our Ministry granted them funds after they had originally been denied charity status — but I am responsible for charities — they are now a charity.

"After taking their list of concerns, I had Rodney Smith prepare a report which Cabinet has considered. We have responded to ChildWatch."

Attempts at reaching Mr. Dunkley for comment were not successful.

ChildWatch was co-founded by Edward Tavares, 51, and Eddie Fisher, 57, ten years ago primarily to protest alleged preferential treatment in the courts, which the group claims supports women as preferred parents.

Recently, the group has shifted from focusing squarely on father's rights to the welfare of the child and the family.

For more information log onto www.childwatch.bm or contact Edward Tavares at 334-8060 or Eddie Fisher at 234-2858.