Nathan dies having accomplished his dreams
Gordon and Mercia Miles believe their son, Nathan, lived his dreams and had done more than most other people do in the 24 years of his life.
“He did everything he wanted to do, we’ve always encouraged him to do what he could,” said Mercia.
“He ran 5km races and did tumbling, he always ran with a T-shirt carrying the legend: ‘Running for the disabled'”.
Nathan died on Saturday night in his mother’s arms.
He was diagnosed with stage three cancer in June, and was told he had six months to a year to live.
He was admitted to Life The Glynnwood Hospital on Tuesday, August 11, for a chest infection and blood clot.
Mercia said Nathan was discharged on Saturday morning, because there was nothing more that could be done.
“They tried all they could to clear the chest infection,” she added.
Nathan was suffering a lot of pain and was on morphine permanently, to relieve this.
He also struggled to breath on his own – and was breathing through an oxygen machine.
“We were in bed together and he woke up at 10.30pm and he wasn’t looking good,” Mercia said.
His face was completely white and he was struggling to breath.
I held him in my arms and told him I loved him and it was OK,” she added.
Nathan loved music, especially Christian music, and spent quite some time at Northfield Methodist Church.
“Church was his happy place, a place where everyone accepted him for who he was,” Mercia said.
Gordon said they tried doing things that were normal with him, such as teaching him how to ride a bicycle – which was built specially for him.
Gordon and Mercia said Nathan will be remembered for his friendly personality.
“He made a lot of friends and never differentiated between people; Nathan could not talk well, but he always managed to communicate,” said Gordon.
The 24-year-old touched many people’s hearts when he compiled a wish list he hoped to fulfil before his death.
He has completed seven of those 10 wishes.
The last wish he achieved was on August 8, when he swam with dolphins at uShaka Marine World, in Durban.
“I honestly feel once he swam with the dolphins, his wishes were fulfilled,” said Mercia.
In just three weeks, Nathan met the 947 Breakfast Xpress team, had lunch with Kurt Darren, took a ride in a BMW on the Red Star Race Track, visited a Planetarium, enjoyed a flying experience from Lanseria Airport and met Juanita du Plessis.
He was due to meet Victor Matfield on Wednesday.
He is survived by his father Gordon, mother Mercia and his sister, Sabrina.
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