Editorial: Brain donor decision a legacy to admire

Peter Garelja will donate his brain to science after his death to allow future study of Parkinson's disease.

Peter Garelja's decision to offer his brain to science for research into Parkinson's disease is quite unique.

The former Tikipunga High School principal retired in 2013. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's eight years ago.

Since retiring he has reflected on many things, including the fact he should have retired a year or so earlier. In the words of Neil Young, Mr Garelja had decided "it's better to burn out than to fade away". When he retired, he was exhausted.

Since then, he has, in his own words, hit the "pause" and in contemplating his future, chosen quite deliberately to focus on the things that are good in his life.

That reflection also includes thoughts about what happens when like all of us, he leaves this mortal coil.

What is especially unique about offering his brain to science, is that a former student works in the field of neuro-degenerative diseases. A scholastic connection in life could continue even in death.

About 48 per cent of New Zealanders tick the box on their driver's licence application that says "organ donor". And of those who do, few would have the knowledge Mr Garelja does of what might occur after his death. It is a selfless, thoughtful offer.

Neil Young did indeed reference the perils of fading away. He also said "once you're gone you can never come back".

True. But Mr Garelja's unique offer means he certainly won't be forgotten.