Palliative and end-of life care, final adventures and (eventually) the celebration of Shona McNeil's life.
Shona McNeil's end of life support page.
Manawatu-Wanganui, Horowhenua District
Choir-leader, trauma counsellor and all round wonderful person Shona McNeil has battled with a rare cancer for 18 years and has finally been told by the experts that there is nothing more that can be done. She has had to give up her choirs, give up her counselling work, stop driving and now consider her plans for the remainder of her life.
As her beloved husband, I have become her full time carer and driver. Unfortunately, there is no financial recognition for spousal carrers in New Zealand, so apart from small pensions and a little benefit payment, we are both unwaged.
We have been unable to get any insurances for Shona due to her illness and we have been asked by a number of people if they can help, contribute, support or buy Shona/us a gift. Reluctantly, we have thought this would be a way to seek some support, at this difficult time and provide a platform for those of you who would like to, and can afford to help us.
Thank you for anything that you can spare and please feel no obligation to donate, or to name yourself if you would rather stay anonymous. We hope to make Shona's time both comfortable and fun for her, when she has the energy to tick of things on her f**k-it 'list'.
Blessings to you all and thank you for everything you have done for our Scottish Shona!
Use of funds
Anything that Shona requires to make her end of life more comfortable, more fun, and to support me as her carer/husband to fulfill her final wishes and dreams, as well as pay for her cremation and an inclusive live-streamed celebration of Shona's life.
Latest update
Update on Shona and Shaun 1 December 2025
We would like to thank everyone again for their generosity. We were delighted to be able to travel and have some adventures while Shona had the energy to do so. Now our life is much quieter and smaller with Shona taking each day as it comes. We are delighted each day that she wakes and decide what we are going to do based on her available energy that day and her pain levels. Although Shona continues to defy all prognoses, we have set some funds aside for a tiny cremation service in Levin, followed by a much larger and inclusive celebration of Shona's life in Paraparaumu. Shaun has attended some counselling sessions and a course of Pilates. He is trying to lose a bit of weight and has lost 3KG in the past 3 weeks. We thank you for your understanding when Shona has to stay home or cancel things, as her energy and pain levels vary significantly. She has also stopped driving so is dependent on Shaun driving her places or people coming to pick her up. Seeing people takes a huge amount out of her, so we are sorry if you can't get to see her as much as you would like. She does appreciate receiving messages and cards that she can read when she has the energy. With our biggest thanks and regards to you all in New Zealand, Scotland and around the World. S & S.
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