This is our first Blog Post and the official launch of our new website. We would like to mark the occasion with a special post in memory of Harry Haxton.
Harry was a dialysis patient from Brisbane, Queensland. When Harry was asked to write a paper about his experiences as a dialysis patient, the result was an extraordinary book, Life Support or Life Sentence: Ruminations on End Stage Kidney Disease and my decision for Supportive Care.
During the last week of his life, Harry invited friends and family to a combined book launch and wake. It was his way of saying goodbye, and sharing that he’d had enough of grappling with end stage kidney disease. The book launch also helped raise awareness of kidney disease, for which we are most truly grateful.
The ABC Compass program followed Harry during his last few weeks of life. By then he’d ticked off most of the items on his bucket list. He was preparing to live this precious time to the full, and his motto was “I’m here for a good time, not a long time”.
Harry’s story – ‘Goodbye Harry Haxton’ – went to air on the ABC Compass program on Saturday 27 May 2017, and is now available to watch on iView.