Paul Stevens’ son, Steven, was 31, when he lost his battle with cystic fibrosis.
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Mr Stevens, of Woodberry, has never been more proud than he is after watching his beautiful boy fight for his life.
Drawing strength from memories of his late son, Mr Stevens spoke publicly for the first time about his family’s struggle to come to terms with Steven’s death on March 1 last year.
“This is something I want everyone to know about, something I need to tell.
“Steven was a great person. CF didn’t phase him, nothing got him down.
“He would go to hospital two to three times a year for two or three weeks at a time, battle an infection, doctors would get him right, then he would come out and get on with his life. He did not blame anyone for his condition.”
Steven attended Woodberry Public School then graduated from year 12 from Francis Greenway High School.
“He did not sit around as an adult, despite his illness,” Mr Stevens said.
“He worked a few jobs – electrical assistant, electrical wholesales – but he felt he could not plan anything long term because he was so sick at times.”
Steven moved out of his parents’ home to live with a mate.
He loved life, partied and enjoyed time with his family and friends.
“Steven wanted to do his own thing because he did not know how long he would live,” his father said.
“It affected me and his mother Donna in a big way. It was like living with a time bomb. We lived in fear every day.
“The best time we had as a family was on a Starlight Foundation 10-day trip to Kakadu granted to Steven and we jumped out of a plane together.”
For the last six months of his life, Steven needed oxygen at all times.
He also suffered with CF cepacia, a bacterial infection in the lungs.
“Steven made me promise him, when he knew his time was getting near, that we would have a Sydney Roosters theme funeral – he was Roosters mad. He was cremated in his Roosters gear, he had a Roosters tattoo, and 90 per cent of the 450 people at Steven’s funeral wore red, white and blue.
“There were flowers from the Roosters club. We were overwhelmed with the support for Steven and for us.
“It was the saddest day of our lives.”
Mr Stevens’ only regret is that Steven did not make it to his wedding day with fiancee Jess Dixon.
“They were so in love, they idolised one another for five years, but it was not to be. The wedding was planned for October or November last year, but Steven died on March 1. Jess was the best thing to happen to Steven.”
But out of this tragedy, Mr Stevens, who has two other children, Shannon, 29, and Ashley, 27, and grandchildren, has found a way to carry on for his family.
“We have raised $15,000 for CF research from three events since Steven’s death,” he said.
“We also collected $1300 in donations at his funeral.
“I want to remember Steven with a special event every year on his anniversary. He is my son, my strength, my beautiful boy.”
DAY FOR STEVEN
A fundraising event will be held at Hunter Valley Zoo, Nulkaba on Sunday, March 1.
All gate takings from 10am to 1pm will be donated to cystic fibrosis research, in memory of Steven Stevens of Woodberry.
Super Hubert will make an appearance to entertain families.
