In 2016, Adam Prashaw died at the age of 22. The young man sadly drowned after suffering an epileptic seizure while in a hot tub.
His father, Rick Prashaw, former Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle's legislative assistant from 2011 to 2015, used to be another kind of father, too.
He's a former Roman Catholic priest, having served at St. Andrew the Apostle Church here in Sudbury from 1984 to 1991, when he left the priesthood.
Two years ago, Rick released a book called “Soar, Adam, Soar” that's both a biography and an autobiography of a father and the son who was once his daughter — Adam was a transgender man.
Now “Soar, Adam, Soar,” has been turned into an audiobook telling Adam Prashaw’s inspiring story on his gender journey home “to the boy in the mirror,” his epilepsy, tragic death, and saving four lives as an organ donor.
The audiobook, released by Tantor Media, is narrated by actor John Dickhout, the recipient of Adam’s heart.
"I wear his Superman ring Adam's Mom gave me,” Dickhout said from his Aldershot home, near Hamilton, Ont.
“Adam was a huge Batman - and Superman – fan. She told me it was his favorite ring. And, while he didn't set out to be one, for me, there could be no greater superhero."
How Dickhout became the book’s narrator, how he even knows his donor, is the story behind the story.
Dickhout woke up from his transplant surgery Jan. 25, 2016, determined to know his donor. After a first exchange of anonymous letters with Rick Prashaw and Suzanne Corbeil, Adam’s parents in Ottawa, clever sleuthing and a fake Facebook page he called “Heart Recipient” led Dickhout to Adam’s parents.
They became good friends, Rick Prashaw shaking his head at the curse that Dickhout cheers for Adam’s Montreal Canadiens hockey team, Ottawa’s archrival.
When the audiobook deal was signed, Prashaw knew who should audition to be the voice.
“John is perfect,” he said. “His golden attitude is infectious. Adam was so positive despite many hardships. We still grieve but the grief chases gratitude too. It’s bittersweet, but I am not bitter nor cynical.”
Dickhout confessed excitement and nerves seeing the audiobook released.
“Soar, Adam, Soar is such a significant book and special "love story" and means so much - and so many different things - to so many people, I worry that my interpretation of your, and Adam's words cannot possibly do it justice...”
Dickhout and Prashaw returned to California in 2019 for the short doc premiere, A Racing Heart, at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival.
The doc captures Dickhout’s post-transplant race to honour Adam and his new health.
In late 2020, the two new friends collaborated on the Gifts of Life podcast telling their heart transplant story from the donor and recipient sides.
