Brad Dryburgh was recently featured on the SBS TV show, Insight, where he talked about living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and writing his own eulogy.
Brad, 27, says his decision to share his story on TV was driven by his passion for meaningful experiences and sense of adventure. “When the SBS producers contacted me to do Insight, I knew it was an opportunity that doesn’t come around all the time, so I wanted to grab it with two hands and enjoy the experience.”
The inspiration behind recording his own eulogy stemmed from his podcast, “A Lot To Talk About,” where Brad engages in monthly discussions with his close friends Joe and Tye on various human experiences.
“The topic of death had been on my mind after watching a limited documentary series called ‘Limitless,’ starring Chris Hemsworth. There was an episode that spoke about preparing for death and it made me wonder how I would feel about the idea of writing my own eulogy. What would I want to be remembered for and what would I want to say to the people I love? It was a great exercise to frame the topic of our podcast and it led to a very emotional but real conversation.”
Crafting his eulogy took a couple of days of contemplation, but once Brad decided to frame it as a letter to the people he loved, the words flowed effortlessly. Within a mere 20 to 30 minutes, he had articulated the heartfelt sentiments he wished to express to his family and friends.
Brad says that recording and sharing his eulogy helped solidify his life’s purpose. “I never intended for the video to go viral. I posted it knowing that if God forbid anything happened to me, that my family could always go back to hear those words. It was meant for them but it found over 600,000 people online. I see my purpose as ‘uplifting and inspiring hope in others through story.’ The reach of the video has allowed me to do that and hopefully remind those seeing it to hug their loved ones tighter and appreciate the gift of life.”
Asked on Insight about the reaction from the public to the video of his eulogy, Brad said most of the responses were surprisingly positive.
“It’s funny, when you post a three-and-a-half-minute video online of you sobbing, you don’t expect too many people to sit down and watch the whole video. But a lot of people took it as a nice, gentle reminder to be really grateful for the opportunity to live here in this moment.”
Brad, who currently works as a keynote speaker and podcaster, hopes that his eulogy’s heartfelt message resonates with viewers, reminding them to cherish their loved ones, embrace life, and appreciate its precious moments.
His passion for storytelling and engaging conversations led Brad to venture into podcasting in February 2020. He has since found the art of conversation to be a natural strength, while acknowledging that production aspects of podcasting are not quite his forte yet. Nonetheless, with the aid of YouTube tutorials, he has proactively acquired enough skills to continue producing exceptional episodes with his remarkable guests.
Also a passionate runner, Brad firmly believes that anyone with CF can take up the sport as a hobby. “I wouldn’t consider myself a talented distance runner at all. In fact, I was hopeless when I first started. But I believe that with discipline and dedication, you can develop the endurance required to run and perform regardless of Cystic Fibrosis.”
Brad adds that whilst those who struggle with reduced lung function and capacity due to CF may not be able to move as fast as they like, they can eventually learn to run at their own pace and fall in love with what running gives them. “For me, it’s given me freedom and a connection to my health that has enriched my life.”
Brad’s journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance in the pursuit of one’s passions. Through storytelling, podcasting, and running, he continues to inspire others and defy the limitations imposed by Cystic Fibrosis.
Brad’s appearance on SBS: (2:48, 15:22, 50:58)
Brad’s eulogy: (Starts at 52.19)
(Some of the themes in this article may be confronting. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the CFCC Programs and Services team –support@cfcc.org.au or call 1300 023 222. You can also reach out to Lifeline and Beyond Blue).
The views, experiences or comments shared on this website are not medical advice and may not reflect opinions or beliefs of Cystic Fibrosis Community Care. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions regarding your health.
