Soldier says Army standing in way of kidney donation to mother

[babylonsister]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2007/06/01/soldier_says_army_standing_in_way_of_kidney_donation_to_mother/

Soldier says Army standing in way of kidney donation to mother

By The Associated Press, By The Associated Press | June 1, 2007

FORT SILL, Okla. --A soldier from New Hampshire says the Army is standing in the way of lifesaving kidney donor surgery for his mother.

Army Spc. Frank Chapman, 27, is a match to his mother, Patricia Chapman, who suffers from kidney disease and is on dialysis three days a week. They are scheduled for transplant surgery June 13 in Florida, where Patricia Chapman lives.

Chapman, his wife and her two children are all packed up to move -- he had sought a compassionate reassignment from the Army so they could care for Patricia, who lives in Dunnellon, Fla., after the surgery. But the plans are in limbo after the family learned last month that Army medical officials are denying permission for the surgery, which they say could lead to medical problems for Chapman down the road.

"How would you tell your mom two weeks before the surgery that, 'Oop, I can't give you a kidney," Chapman told KSWO-TV in Lawton.

more...

[Coexist]

1. he belongs to Mr. Cheney - kidney and all

he needs 'em standing to make better targets in the desert.

[glowing]

2. That's the problem with signing your life away to the military

machine... its no longer your life... you are government issue and they will issue you at will.

[Nicole]

3. I posted about this last night.

Doesn't seem to be of much interest here. :shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1017773&mesg_id=1017773

[Ilsa]

4. I'm sorry Nicole. I missed it last night. You never know which

version of the same story is going to make the hit parade!

As for the soldier's plight, it amazes me because they'll allow soldiers to return to duty after losing a limb, and Sean Elliott of the San Antonio Spurs donated a kidney to his brother and went back to playing. Other athletes have done the same thing. I hope this soldier will mention that to the army doctors.

[Nicole]

7. Oh, I didn't care about who posted it or when.

I was just surprised there wasn't more interest in the story.


I hope they reconsider & let him do this for his mother.

[benddem]

5. when you sign up

your body belongs to the military. They have no room for compassion. Conserve the fighting strength.
Besides if they allowed the transplant and he went into Kidney failure, or had his remaining kidney damaged in an accident or combat...the taxpayer would be paying for the bills for the rest of his life. I can understand his point and frustration...but I know the Army regulations.

[Ilsa]

6. A number of athletes in high contact sports have donated kidneys

to family and friends. The Army is stingy, of course, saving it for Darth Cheney.

[RedCappedBandit]

8. These are the people that "support the troops"

absurd. k&r