Living every moment of time left

WANGANUI'S MOST POSITIVE PERSON AWARDS

Rex Smith may have an inoperable tumour, but he's making the most of everyday like it's his last.

The Wanganui born 81-year old is the second winner of the Classic Hits most positive person award.

The award is a collaboration between radio station Classic Hits, deputy mayor Dot McKinnon and regional councillor Bob Walker as a way to recognise and reward people who have positive attitude and are role models to others.

Mr Smith was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour in his stomach two years ago, and has since given up chemotherapy in favour of living out his days to the fullest.

It was his embodiment of the Wanganui Hospice's philosophy of "living every moment", that motivated staff to nominate him for the award.

"I thought I was very undeserving," said Mr Smith.

Mr Smith said when he first started experiencing stomach pain, he thought it was a just a problem with one of his stomach muscles.

He received 13 weeks worth of chemotherapy before he decided to stop having treatment.
"It made me so ill, it just wasn't a life. I decided to stop having chemo and just enjoy whatever time I had left."

And so he has.

Last year Mr Smith's family got together and gifted him a 15,000ft tandem skydive over Taupo.

"You have all these thoughts going through you mind as you're three-miles up, and the doors open and you're hanging there. You're looking down and thinking, what the hell am I doing here."

In summer Mr Smith and Cath, his wife of 59 years, swim up to four times a week, and the couple still has regular travels, most recently to Auckland and Wellington.

"My biggest love is golf, I still play out at Belmont three-days a week. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The moment my handicap is 21 going out - as it does in winter time."

The pair also loves to take a drive, especially in summer when they can take a book, and sit next to the lake.

"Just to be together and be positive with each-other," he said.

Since being diagnosed with the tumour, life has become about achieving upcoming goals, said Mr Smith.

His next goal is to make it to his 60th wedding anniversary in January next year.

"That's the big goal, everything in the last 20 months has been goals, working towards different events."

People can nominate anyone they consider a "positive person" by emailing their details, and the details of their nominee to Rachel Prankerd at Rach@classichits.co.nz. The most positive person award will be presented every week for the next 28 weeks.