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He said most doctors did not understand this disease and workplaces “don't want to know”.
“Black lung victims are put on the surface out of sight,” he said.
“Workcover doesn't recognise this disease. Victims have lost their jobs and homes with no money coming in.
“How many more workers are going to be diagnosed with black lung and how many have slipped through the cracks?”
Despite being debilitated by the black lung, Stoddart has added his voice to calls for greater efforts to control the spread of the disease in Australia’s mines.
Last week the 20th victim of this disease was discovered.
“It's time we got together and started to yell and scream until there is a concerted effort to eradicate this crippling and deadly disease from our mines,” he said.
“Looking back on my last photo my wife said look how much I have aged.
“I see myself in the mirror every day but didn't notice how far I have gone downhill. I'm coughing up blood most days now and can hardly carry a small pot plant.”
