Discover how his faith, hope, and the support of Hospice have played a transformative role in his remarkable rehabilitation story.

When 46-year-old South Auckland Pastor and devoted father of three Kenneth was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2020 his life changed forever. As the cancer spread to his spine, leaving him paralysed from the chest down, doctors told him he would never walk again. They focused on managing his pain and helping him adjust to a life without mobility.

But Kenneth didn’t want to accept he would never walk again.

“I was concerned about being there for my children, playing with them, teaching them, sharing their joy. My upbringing and faith in God taught me to think positively, and my wife supported me to stay positive about what could be,” Kenneth explained.

Loved and supported by his community, a friend came to the Hospital every day to massage Kenneth’s legs for nerve stimulation. Slowly, he was able move his legs a tiny amount; his nerves were firing. “That was when I really started to believe I will walk again,” reflects Kenneth. After two months in the Spinal Unit, where he saw small improvements in mobility, Kenneth was discharged and referred to Tōtara Hospice for care at home.

He was connected to our community-based team of doctors and nurses, physiotherapist, and therapy assistants. His physiotherapist, Clarice, saw in him a determination to become more mobile and invited Kenneth to visit the Tōtara Hospice gym. Motivated to capitalise on his gains in movement, he immediately added gym visits to his rehab programme. Between his at-home exercise programme and twice weekly gym visits, Kenneth’s mobility went from strength to strength.

Then one day, he stood.

Kenneth remembers, “When I finally stood, my family was home, and they came and hugged me. I had gone from not being able to turn over in bed to standing … Nothing beats standing and hugging my kids. I’m grateful for having the gym facilities at Hospice. I actually look forward to my gym sessions each week. They’ve been a big part of my recovery so far.”

Stepping into the future. Kenneth then turned his sights to the next goal, gaining back his independence.

Over the past twelve months, he has gained strength and mobility and is now able to walk on crutches for periods of time. His church congregation was in total shock when one day he walked into the church and onto the stage to resume his role as preacher. Incredibly, he has also passed his driving test and is back driving short distances, a wonderful feeling of freedom after being reliant on others for so long.

These gains in mobility and independence have been invaluable for Kenneth’s self-confidence. “Before, my wife Linda had to do so much. Now I’m able to help at home and drive to church. I feel useful again. I can get up the stairs at home again and fully able to join in family life with my children. I’ve even joined a local gym; I was nervous about being in a gym with super fit people but Clarice from Hospice came with me and helped me get started. Now I love it!” he beams.

Although Hospice cares for people with a terminal illness, there is so much more to the work than the last days of life care.  A key focus at Tōtara Hospice is helping patients live life to the fullest, with the time they have left. Living well and dying with dignity.

In Kenneth’s words, “Tōtara Hospice is my lifeline. It is there to help people live well.”

The last few years have been a real rollercoaster for Kenneth and his family. Even though his long-term prognosis hasn’t changed, he’s incredibly thankful for his faith and the support from Hospice. He’s focused on making the most of every single moment.

“Like many others in my community I didn’t really understand what Hospice was all about, and thought it was only where people go to die. Now, I understand it’s about making the most of the time we have, living every moment and being with those we love. I have so much more living to do in the time I have and goals to achieve and I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without my Hospice family.”