General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy organ donation is an absolute good...
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Dyamond Ott, 13 years old. She is a double organ transplant recipient. She received her gift of life on Sept. 21, 2006 when she had life-saving liver and kidney transplants.
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Not long after his birth, Kaidyn was diagnosed with Biliary Artesia, a congenital process that blocks proper bile drainage from the liver. This condition causes rapid deterioration of the organ and transplantation is essential. Fortunately, at the age of one, Kaidyn received the gift he desperately needed. He is now active and healthy thanks to the magic of organ donation. Once again, more proof that organ donation works.
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Alisha did save lives.
She was killed nearly two years ago in a car wreck. One kidney, both lungs and her heart all give life to others.
"Just to know that somebody else gets to live through a tragedy that you may have, is just an overwhelming feeling," Alisha's mother Sarah said.
Alisha's family met for the first time, a 64-year-old man who now has Alisha's heart.
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I've read some disturbing notions about organ donation and I think a reminder of what it means is needed.
K Gardner
(14,933 posts)made me literally ill. Well done. K&R
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)I really am shocked.
Though no one would want my liver.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)It was truly disturbing.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=474576
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)It doesn't work - It's like that whole myth of the "deserving poor" thing that haunts the UK and this country.
"The social safety net should only support those people who "deserve" to be supported - And no using your welfare check to buy booze, lottery tickets or big screen tv's."
It's ridiculous and unimaginable some of the attitudes and myths that go around on this.
CaliforniaPeggy
(151,382 posts)Earth_First
(14,910 posts)In fact, some day if I meet my mortal end and my organs are healthy and viable for transplant, I would hope that my organs *did* go to someone who lead a less than honest life.
Hopefully, in their second chance they would see the error in their ways; and the donation of an organ by a complete stranger will allow them to lead a second chance at life in a more conscious manner...
monmouth
(21,078 posts)during the sadness and confusion and preparing to bury her in New Jersey, I failed to make these arrangements. My head was in massive confusion when the Sheriff's deputy asked me if I was interested in doing this. Next to the loss of her, that poor decision to this day is of great regret...
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Do not blame yourself.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)You cannot be faulted for not thinking clearly while suffering such a horrific loss.
CaliforniaPeggy
(151,382 posts)At an unbelievably horrible moment like that one, you needed to have someone really aware of how to approach you on this sensitive topic. I'm sure the deputy did his/her best, but specially trained people should have been on the scene.
Please forgive yourself. Regret can be poisonous...losing your precious daughter was more than anyone should have to bear...
monmouth
(21,078 posts)GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)Particularly when one is dealing with ones child.
I'm sorry for your loss.
digonswine
(1,485 posts)was an Opt-in rather than opt out. In my opinion, opting out is unconscionable.
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)Because of outmoded and irrational beliefs -
Kind of like the prohibition on tattooing in Judaism - "So, cut off my arm and bury it in the goyish cemetery" - Lenny Bruce
digonswine
(1,485 posts)a loved one continuing to live with a needed new organ. I get what you are saying, though. I seriously know a few people who are not donors because they don't like the "idea" of it. They are clearly not comfortable with the inevitable dying portion of our life cycle and punish others with death due to their discomfort. I tend to not talk to this portion of my acquaintances very often.
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)which translates as "repairing the world".
This from Wikipedia - The expression tikkun olam is used in the Mishnah in the phrase mip'nei tikkun ha-olam ("for the sake of tikkun of the world" to indicate that a practice should be followed not because it is required by Biblical law, but because it helps avoid social chaos.
Of course, I subscribe to Monsieur Diderot:
"Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
digonswine
(1,485 posts)but it rolls around and around in my mind and has become my favorite.
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)And some might see it as a call for violence. I see it as a call for a true examination of beliefs.
digonswine
(1,485 posts)but is useful rhetorically. It is a simple call to end the things that serve to subjugate and enslave us.
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)Thank you.
Of course, many see it as anti religious. And I'm ok with that.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)For really obvious reasons. The thousands who have benefited.
rurallib
(62,945 posts)Seemed like a good place to say please donate blood, platelets, white cells and plasma if you can.
Seems like many blood centers are chronically short.
Thank you and sorry for the hijack.
GoneOffShore
(17,539 posts)So why would it be a hijack?