Fundraising in memory of my Dad

By Phil

“My Dad’s stoke was a bleed on the right-hand side of his brain on February 6, 2021. He was 82.

I will always remember him cracking jokes whenever I visited him in Westmead Hospitals’ stroke ward. He was in and out of a ‘fog’ and during moments of clarity he would say some of the most profound things and some of the funniest.

Despite being bed ridden and paralysed down his left side he was making plans for a return home, and as a builder he was already designing modifications to accommodate his changed ability. He even asked Mum to bring in his drafting board and drawing instruments.

He and Mum would have us laughing as they ‘discussed’ the design of the modifications, with Dad frustratingly announcing, “Pat, I am a builder you know!”.

Dad knew he was declining. He fought hard keeping his mind as active as possible, but he couldn’t control the daily loss of brain cells that was taking its toll. He was transferred to palliative care 10 days before he passed, and he said to mum that he knew he was coming to the end of his life.

He would try as best he could to recall funny moments that he had shared with mates when they came in to visit him in those last 10 days. He was lifting everyone else up.

Dad exampled over 8 weeks what he had told me always - never lose your sense of humour, as well as displaying an attitude of acceptance for what you cannot change.

He left this world the way he had lived it. All his 82 years of wisdom was at play in those last 8 weeks. He was still leading by example to the end; “Accept what you cannot change, change what you can and have the wisdom to be able to distinguish between the two.”

Dad taught us that it is the choice we make in how we react in life that makes all the difference. That is the legacy he left. He lives on through us as we continue to lead by example, his examples.”

On April 4, Phil McDonald will mark the first anniversary of the death of his Dad Jim, who passed away two months after a stroke. In memory of his Dad, Phil is raising money for Stroke Foundation through a world record sparring attempt.

He has shared his story about Jim McDonald - an inspirational man who worked hard every day to make a positive impact on the world.