One of many area’s best-known health-care advocates says it is time to say goodbye.
John Dennis, 78, who has the excellence of being the oldest surviving lung transplant recipient in Nova Scotia, says he is been authorized for Medical Help In Dying (MAID) and plans to train that choice subsequent week.
“Some folks would possibly suppose I stop as a result of I selected MAID and I ended taking my drugs,” stated Dennis.
“I do not think about myself a quitter. I fought to the tip, however I wish to die with dignity,” he added, surrounded by his son and daughter within the Palliative Care Unit of the Victoria Common Hospital in Halifax.
An outspoken advocate, Dennis has by no means been afraid to tackle the well being division or anybody else in authorities when he noticed an injustice.
Almost a yr in the past, a annoyed John Dennis spoke with CTV Information about being denied a second booster shot for COVID-19.
“Give up being jerks,” he was quoted as saying on the time.
In June, Dennis raised plenty of cash after pledging to bike 700 kilometers round Prince Edward Island.
Nevertheless, inside months, his well being started to fail once more because the illness got here again.
“The ache was excruciating. I used to be finished with it. I’ve been on fixed ache killers since I have been right here,” stated Dennis.
“I lastly bought drained. I made a decision I fought lengthy sufficient. I knew that someday, I used to be going to train MAID. And I known as my kids and I known as my brothers and sisters, and I stated, ‘The time has come. I ‘m going to train MAID.'”
“For him to have the ability to select to exit on his personal I believe is admittedly necessary,” stated daughter Stephanie Walker.
Members of the family additionally aren’t shocked he is nonetheless elevating consciousness in his last days.
“Anytime he places his thoughts to one thing, he is like a canine with a bone, and good luck knocking him off that,” stated son Frank Dennis, who’s house from Toronto.
Extra just lately, Dennis has been featured in a brand new kids’s e-book that sheds gentle on his battle with pulmonary fibrosis and the significance of organ donation.
He and the writer, Marlene Bryenton, organized to have 1000’s of copies of “Magic Items” distributed to schoolchildren, and Dennis has been actively working to get copies into Nova Scotia colleges.
Regardless of the flip of occasions in latest months, Dennis continues to be a powerful believer within the significance of organ donation.
“Hey, I bought year-and-a-half out of it [the transplanted lung] earlier than it lastly took its toll on me,” he stated.
And as he completes his life’s journey within the hospital, he is aware of how he needs to be remembered.
“Amongst my mates, and my fellow sufferers, I wish to be remembered as a staunch advocate for correct well being care, for organ transplants, and for pulmonary fibrosis analysis,” he stated.
“Any person who cared and wished to make a distinction.”
“I discuss to God so much. I’ve prayed to God so much and he will get me the way in which I’m, and I hope he forgives me for any of my sins. I am at peace and I nonetheless have my dignity and that is necessary.”