From her father’s darkness she is creating hope
Sydney Harris was camp father and chief caravan tower, for all intents and purposes a happy and “superactive” Kiwi bloke, much loved by his wife and three kids.
But that was the public facing Syd. Inside, he was struggling with mental health issues and in October last year, the 53-year-old lost an eight-year battle, dying by suicide.
Syd had long-standing mental health issues. He had tried to end his life a number of times, and for almost a decade had been seeing mental health professionals.
His eldest daughter Georgia, a passionate and eloquent 23-year-old, has taken up the mantle for the grieving family in the hope their story will drive or, at the very least, spur change in our mental health system.
She wants to share Syd’s story to show what an “incredible man” her gorgeous dad was: the hard-working man who, over 18 years, created a haven for his family on an idyllic four hectares of land in Oratia, west of Auckland. A dad who laughed and joked, and gave Georgia and her younger siblings, Campbell, 19, and Claudia, 17, the best childhood memories; the man they miss so much, every day.
Georgia remembers him as the “light of our lives”, the dad who, when her little legs got tired on one of their many trips to Lion Rock at Piha, would lift her onto his shoulders and hike to the top. He was also the dad who gave the best advice.
She says her mum Lynda, 50, was her husband’s champion and supporter, ensuring he got help when he was at his lowest, and wrapping her love around him and the kids.
Denne historien er fra July 22, 2019-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 22, 2019-utgaven av Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!