Getting on with it: One of life's fighters

Donald Park never gives up. Photo / Doug Sherring

This is the fifth of six finalists in the Bell Tea/Herald on Sunday Getting On With It search for special, ordinary people.

The Herald on Sunday is proud to profile people who have rolled up their sleeves and just got on with it. Today and next week we feature finalists who win a year's supply of Bell Tea. The overall winner, who also wins an iPad, will be announced on October 26.

Donald Park
He has twice been on the brink of financial ruin and has suffered from chronic asthma his entire life. He's had one knee replaced, two ruptured discs in his back, and recently had an operation to repair an injured shoulder. But these trials have not diminished 68-year-old Donald Park's fighting spirit and desire to compete.

Donald was nominated for the Getting on With It award by his son Karl. He has been a great dad and provided Karl and his three brothers with a role model who has taught them to hold their heads high in the face of adversity.

"My father has the Kiwi spirit of getting on with it. He has been forced to start over a number of times due to the cruelty of life and of other people," says Karl.

Donald has seen first-hand how the dark side of human nature can emerge in relation to money matters. A business venture with a family member left him not only bitterly disappointed in the person concerned but also nearly destitute and struggling to make ends meet. He worked day and night to get back on track, then lost a significant amount of money a few years later in the Blue Chip property investment scheme.

"He picked himself up and worked seven days a week, 12-14 hours a day to get himself and my mother back to financial stability," says Karl.

His fighting spirit has also been evident in his sporting endeavours. The asthma sufferer used sport to help his condition. He was involved in competitive wrestling, road and cross-country running and has won numerous awards over the years, including a North Island 10km road championship.

But his sporting career hasn't been without its pitfalls - the two ruptured discs occurred when he was wrestling and he also tore a cruciate ligament in his knee. But he continued to run. "You just get used to the pain," he says stoically.

He was somewhat taken aback when told of his nomination.

"I guess I just get on with things," he says modestly. He says his mother was a "bit of a battler" and that he's never been one to give up.

Donald's knee replacement last October, meant an end to his running career. He has also had a shoulder operation and is currently "sitting at home, feeling sorry for myself".

But he still has plans to compete. "I hope to go to the Masters Games in Wanganui next February," he says. "I competed in 17 events in 2012 and will aim for the same events next year."

The events include shot put and javelin and he's glad his throwing shoulder hasn't been injured.

"But because of my bad knee I can't do the run-up, so I'm thinking of them as charity events. Someone has to come last," he laughs.

His "never give up" attitude has been an inspiration to his three sons, who he's led by example throughout his life.

"My father has taught my brothers and me that you always stand up and get on with it," says Karl.