Kia ora koutou!
- I have been working in Palliative Care for 20 years, and as a GP for 12 years before that. I have spent the last 14 years at Nelson Tasman Hospice as Senior Medical Officer.
- I feel privileged to be part of the team that helps with the choreography of the final dance of life for our patients and their whānau in the hope to make it poignant and graceful, but also joyous and comfortable and in time with the beat of life, so to speak. It has been an immensely humbling and rewarding career.
- My husband, John, and our children, Hamish and Flora, came to New Zealand 16 years ago from Scotland. Sadly, John died last year and we suddenly found ourselves on the receiving end of Nelson Tasman Hospice care, provided through the wonderful District Nurses and volunteers from Motueka. This enabled me to care for John at home which was his wish.
- My mother also died with hospice support in the UK this year. Although I see the benefits of palliative care in our everyday work, it was not until my family experienced this from the ‘other side’, that I truly understood the incredible impact of the support and guidance that hospice provides.
- I gained a whole new perspective and appreciation for everything that makes up hospice care.
- The main reason I have put myself forward as a contestant is simple – it is for our patients and whanau; past, present and future. And also to represent and, in appreciation of, my colleagues over the years. I hope it will bring joy (and probably laughter!) to us all. I am expecting them to get behind me with fund raising too!
- This is totally out of my skill set as I am not a dancer and I think the last time I wore a dress was on my wedding day 30 years ago!
- As a child my mother made me go to ballet lessons (briefly) – although my teacher said that I would look better with my tongue inside my mouth! I was always much happier out on the farm.
- However, I am game to put my best left foot forward, and as my team-mates will attest, I am naturally competitive, so at least I stand a chance to raise the most money!