Dad Shares Final Photo Taken with Son Before Passing Away: 'I'm So Proud To Be His Dad'
The bond between a father and a son is undeniable. As a dad, you hope to have plenty of time to pass on the wisdom you have gathered throughout your lifetime.
But when a father finds out he has a limited amount of time left on this planet, sharing those meaningful words suddenly becomes urgent.
For 40-year-old Dr. Ian Davis, time was of the essence. He was quickly losing his battle with motor neurone disease (MND) – a nerve disease that robs people of their motor skills.
But Davis’ son Archie would soon hear the words that his father had been preparing to say since the day he was born.
Dr. Davis developed MND at the age of 33. Over the years, his health began to deteriorate, and soon he knew that there wasn’t much time left.
Most people diagnosed with MND have an average life expectancy of just over two years.
As Davis’ health began to decline, he quit his practice as a doctor and began the fight for others by starting the FightMND Foundation in 2014.
Through the FightMND Foundation, Davis helped to raise awareness about MND. The charity helps to raise the much-needed funding for research and drug development for the debilitating disease.
Since Davis started the FightMND Foundation, it has raised more than $40 million.
“Since the foundation’s inception, Ian’s tireless work, passion and commitment to finding a cure for MND has impacted and inspired people affected by MND worldwide,” Bill Guest, the FightMND Chairman, said.
Davis knew his time was running out. But he had a plan that would mark his final moment and show his son the love he had for him.
In an emotional Facebook post Davis shared on the day he died, he left a message for his son.
“Please tell my boy I love him. I’m so proud to be his dad,” he wrote.
The post was accompanied by a photo of Davis and Archie sharing the last moment the two would be together.
Davis went on to ask those that knew him to write to his beloved Archie.
He wanted his friends and family to keep his memory alive by having the people that knew him best to pass on stories to his son.
Davis’ final Facebook post also included a message to everyone that had come into his life over the years.
“Today I say farewell. Thank you, everyone, for all the support, love, and compassion over the years during my fight. It has been some ride.
“I will leave this broken body with a full heart,” he added.
According to an update on Nov. 1, Davis passed away surrounded by those who loved him.
“Ian died peacefully just before midday surrounded by family and friends. Our special thanks to his dedicated medical team who were by his side every step of the way,” the post reads.
“A life cut short, but lived to the fullest. Our MND warrior finally free to walk amongst the giants.
“Have a beer for him, it’s what he would have wanted.”
Davis’ wife, Melissa Yang, took to Facebook following her husband’s death with a touching tribute to the man she loved.
“I was privileged to be by his side in this life, and as he passed into the next. Determined, courageous, generous beyond measure, the most clever person I have ever known, with a will of steel and a heart capable of expansive love,” she wrote.
“We had a couple of days which were a gift, when he was finally freed from the burden of MND with the knowledge that his battle was coming to an end,” she continued.
“He came back to us, and in true Ian style made sure that we would have each other to lean on when he was no longer with us. Now wishing I could have him for just one more hour. My love, my storm, I miss you already.”
Our hearts and prayers go out for Dr. Davis’ friends and family during this difficult time.
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