Well I just heard about it when I came to the doctor one day.
I don't remember even what I came for at that particular time
and you said would i be interested in doing an advance care plan?
And I took one away and read it and filled it in .
and the more I think about it the better I think it was a very good idea to do.
No I don't think I had.
I know we had trouble when my parents died.
You know the family all got together and we tried to sort out what Mum and Dad would have wanted, you know.
I just think it's wonderful. I feel very secure to know that no matter what happens to me, my wishes are recorded for what I wanted to do.
Kate went through it with me because it, you know, our appointment got longer and longer didn't it?
And I took it home and sat down at the table at home and just worked through it. I didn't find it difficult.
And I thought it was very sensible and I'm really pleased to have done it.
Yes, I showed them all what I was doing and they were quite happy with it.
I showed - my daughter came from Australia one day and I said, Oh you better have a look at this!
And then my son who lives in Wellington, we had a talk about it. I just showed him and said that I had it.
And he thought it was a good idea as well.
Because the last thing you want is to have arguments in the family about where you should be or what should happen.
I'd be advocating that more people would get one because they make you feel secure.
...about what will happen to you when you're older.
I live by myself, but I have a son handy and a daughter handy and one daughter overseas.
So they've all seen it and I'm pleased to think that they have something to talk about when I'm not here.
I did talk about it with one of my friends and she went and got one done as well.
She lives out in Porirua East and she had one done as well.
She thought it was a good idea.
That's really great Norma! You went out and told a friend who then went and got one done! Yeah.
Yes. That's exactly how we hope things will ripple out.
Yes. It's not an easy thing to um, for everybody to hear about.
How do you hear about it if your doctor doesn't bring it up? I think I was very lucky that you did! bring it up...
And it's a hard topic too.
It is a hard topic.
To think we're all going to die. Yes. And there's no exceptions.
No, no. None of us are going to live forever.
But maybe we can have a bit of control about what might happen during that time and also, a gift to our families!
It's what we leave behind.
You're a great advocate thanks Norma!
Oh that's all right! You know, I pleased to be able to advocate for it, because it's - it makes me feel very secure.
At least they've got something to talk about when I'm dead!
If I die suddenly - I dread the thought of lingering on over a long period of time, half-stupid!
But if I do, at least I've got that done and everybody knows about it. Yeah.