Heartbreaking last words: Mum's emotional farewell to son before tragic Mount Everest disaster
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Many people, as they reach their golden years, have overcome several hardships and setbacks in their lives, but sometimes, it is also the stories of the young and courageous people who can truly inspire us.
Today, we'll be sharing one such moving story of determination, ambition, and the emotional bond between a mother and her son.
Late last month, Jason Kennison, a car crash survivor who was given a bleak outlook on life after a horrific diagnosis by doctors, tragically lost his life while pursuing his dream of climbing the world's tallest peak, none other than of course, Mount Everest.
Before he embarked on the treacherous journey, his loving mother, Gill Kennison, revealed that her final words to her son were, 'Just remember, I'll always love you.' Jason, in turn, promised her he would return home safe, saying, 'I'll see you when I get back.'
Reminiscing about their last conversation, an emotional Gill recalled Jason's determination to climb the mountain despite a life marred by numerous obstacles. His brother, Adrian, echoed their mother's sentiment and expressed immense pride in Jason's achievements.
'We are so proud of his achievements, and we take great solace in knowing he made it to the summit of the highest place on this planet,' Adrian said.
His sister, Michelle Graham, also felt proud he had reached the peak. 'Jason was one to live a full life. He would put his mind to something, set a goal and achieve it,' she said.
When Jason was just 23 years old, a vehicle accident left him with severe injuries to his femur and shoulder. It was a challenging time for him, and he openly shared on his Just Giving page how it led to a period of depression.
'My journey to recovery was slow, but through countless hours of rehabilitation and my own unwavering determination, I started to witness remarkable progress, both in my physical health and mental well-being,' he recounted.
Then, three years ago, Jason found himself facing progressive back pain, ultimately necessitating a routine spinal procedure. Unfortunately, the outcome didn't unfold as expected, resulting in nerve damage that forced him to relearn the art of walking once again.
Reflecting on his experiences, he expressed that the thought of standing atop Mount Everest seemed incredibly distant from the days when he battled traumatic injuries and grappled with the depths of depression.
'An ambitious feat that I would never have dreamed of or thought was possible after once being told that I would not be able to walk,' he shared, his words brimming with gratitude and awe at his own journey.
In the lead-up to his brave venture, Kennison underwent rigorous training in preparation for the climb, venturing into New Zealand's mountains and overcoming his fear of heights.
Admirably, this ambitious feat wasn't just for personal achievement. Jason aimed to raise funds and awareness for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, hoping to support others who had suffered similar struggles to him.
While Jason, unfortunately, did not survive his Everest descent, his family found solace in knowing he had reached the top of the world's highest summit. They are immensely proud of his brave spirit and unwavering determination.
The Kennison family also extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Sherpas, who went above and beyond in their attempt to bring Jason home. Courtesy and empathy from people half a world away are a testament to humanity's ability to unite through love and loss.
'We would like to send our greatest love and thanks to Nepal, where he had Sherpas go above and beyond to help try to bring him home,' said the Kennison family in a statement.
'We are worlds apart but united through our love for Jason.'
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia has expressed their deep condolences and paid tribute to Jason upon learning about his passing. In a statement released this afternoon, the charity conveyed their heartfelt sympathies to Jason's family and friends.
'On behalf of everyone at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, we want to share our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jason,' read the statement.
'He was a shining example of overcoming the odds, and Jason showcased incredible tenacity and determination in everything he set his mind to. Jason was an amazing man, and we are so honoured that he chose to support our organisation.'
'Our thoughts are with his family at this time.'
As we reflect on Jason Kennison's story, we can't help but feel a mixture of awe and introspection. His unwavering spirit and relentless pursuit of his dream remind us of the incredible power that lies within each of us.
We may not all aspire to conquer the highest peak the world has to offer, but we all have our own metaphorical Everest to climb—our own dreams, ambitions, and challenges that seem insurmountable.
What are your thoughts on this brave young man’s story? Let us know in the comments below!
Today, we'll be sharing one such moving story of determination, ambition, and the emotional bond between a mother and her son.
Late last month, Jason Kennison, a car crash survivor who was given a bleak outlook on life after a horrific diagnosis by doctors, tragically lost his life while pursuing his dream of climbing the world's tallest peak, none other than of course, Mount Everest.
Before he embarked on the treacherous journey, his loving mother, Gill Kennison, revealed that her final words to her son were, 'Just remember, I'll always love you.' Jason, in turn, promised her he would return home safe, saying, 'I'll see you when I get back.'
Jason Kennison was climbing Mount Everest to raise money for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. Credit: Facebook.
Reminiscing about their last conversation, an emotional Gill recalled Jason's determination to climb the mountain despite a life marred by numerous obstacles. His brother, Adrian, echoed their mother's sentiment and expressed immense pride in Jason's achievements.
'We are so proud of his achievements, and we take great solace in knowing he made it to the summit of the highest place on this planet,' Adrian said.
His sister, Michelle Graham, also felt proud he had reached the peak. 'Jason was one to live a full life. He would put his mind to something, set a goal and achieve it,' she said.
When Jason was just 23 years old, a vehicle accident left him with severe injuries to his femur and shoulder. It was a challenging time for him, and he openly shared on his Just Giving page how it led to a period of depression.
'My journey to recovery was slow, but through countless hours of rehabilitation and my own unwavering determination, I started to witness remarkable progress, both in my physical health and mental well-being,' he recounted.
Then, three years ago, Jason found himself facing progressive back pain, ultimately necessitating a routine spinal procedure. Unfortunately, the outcome didn't unfold as expected, resulting in nerve damage that forced him to relearn the art of walking once again.
Reflecting on his experiences, he expressed that the thought of standing atop Mount Everest seemed incredibly distant from the days when he battled traumatic injuries and grappled with the depths of depression.
'An ambitious feat that I would never have dreamed of or thought was possible after once being told that I would not be able to walk,' he shared, his words brimming with gratitude and awe at his own journey.
In the lead-up to his brave venture, Kennison underwent rigorous training in preparation for the climb, venturing into New Zealand's mountains and overcoming his fear of heights.
Admirably, this ambitious feat wasn't just for personal achievement. Jason aimed to raise funds and awareness for Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, hoping to support others who had suffered similar struggles to him.
While Jason, unfortunately, did not survive his Everest descent, his family found solace in knowing he had reached the top of the world's highest summit. They are immensely proud of his brave spirit and unwavering determination.
The Kennison family also extended their heartfelt gratitude to the Sherpas, who went above and beyond in their attempt to bring Jason home. Courtesy and empathy from people half a world away are a testament to humanity's ability to unite through love and loss.
'We would like to send our greatest love and thanks to Nepal, where he had Sherpas go above and beyond to help try to bring him home,' said the Kennison family in a statement.
'We are worlds apart but united through our love for Jason.'
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia has expressed their deep condolences and paid tribute to Jason upon learning about his passing. In a statement released this afternoon, the charity conveyed their heartfelt sympathies to Jason's family and friends.
'On behalf of everyone at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, we want to share our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jason,' read the statement.
'He was a shining example of overcoming the odds, and Jason showcased incredible tenacity and determination in everything he set his mind to. Jason was an amazing man, and we are so honoured that he chose to support our organisation.'
'Our thoughts are with his family at this time.'
As we reflect on Jason Kennison's story, we can't help but feel a mixture of awe and introspection. His unwavering spirit and relentless pursuit of his dream remind us of the incredible power that lies within each of us.
We may not all aspire to conquer the highest peak the world has to offer, but we all have our own metaphorical Everest to climb—our own dreams, ambitions, and challenges that seem insurmountable.
What are your thoughts on this brave young man’s story? Let us know in the comments below!
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