When I went to renew my drivers license the other day, I got up to the counter and the nice lady (really) started asking me all of the questions on her little list....
am I mentally capable of driving a car?
do I use any drugs that would impair my ability to drive?
are my height and weight the same as on my current card?
Yes, I am....
No, I don't...
No, they aren't. I actually know I weigh less than what my 8 year old license says and at my age I am probably shrinking in height so I said, "I do weigh less, but I'm sure during the lifetime of this new drivers license, I will weigh 140 pounds again, so it's fine."
She smiled and then without looking up at me she asked her next question, "Organ Donor?"
"Am I not already?" I asked....because I swore I told them yes last time.
"No, you aren't", she said, still not making eye contact.
"Yes, of course. I can do that," I replied.
She proceeded to the next question, but my thoughts were still back on "Organ Donor".
It use to make me feel "funny" to talk about or think about after life decisions, but not any more.
With a waiting list of over 100,000 people, how could I say no? Why would I say no? I thought about my kids...what if one of them were ill and waiting for a transplant?
When I am gone....I'm gone. My organs won't be able to help me anymore...but what if they could help someone else?
Of course, organ donation is a very personal decision...one that everyone should research and then make an educated decision for themselves.
am I mentally capable of driving a car?
do I use any drugs that would impair my ability to drive?
are my height and weight the same as on my current card?
Yes, I am....
No, I don't...
No, they aren't. I actually know I weigh less than what my 8 year old license says and at my age I am probably shrinking in height so I said, "I do weigh less, but I'm sure during the lifetime of this new drivers license, I will weigh 140 pounds again, so it's fine."
She smiled and then without looking up at me she asked her next question, "Organ Donor?"
"Am I not already?" I asked....because I swore I told them yes last time.
"No, you aren't", she said, still not making eye contact.
"Yes, of course. I can do that," I replied.
She proceeded to the next question, but my thoughts were still back on "Organ Donor".
It use to make me feel "funny" to talk about or think about after life decisions, but not any more.
With a waiting list of over 100,000 people, how could I say no? Why would I say no? I thought about my kids...what if one of them were ill and waiting for a transplant?
When I am gone....I'm gone. My organs won't be able to help me anymore...but what if they could help someone else?
Of course, organ donation is a very personal decision...one that everyone should research and then make an educated decision for themselves.
I don't know anyone that has had a transplant. Do you?
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13 comments:
I have myself listed as an organ donor, as well- but I heard even if it says you are on your license your family/heirs have to agree to it after you are gone...not sure if that is even true. But you are right- the organs are no use to us when we are gone. So, for me, the decision is an easy one.
My dad was with us a lot longer because of a kidney donation. It gave him ten more years. He died last spring.
I'm listed as a donor, so is my husband. I believe it is the most precious gift.
Actually, a good friend of mine received a new kidney about a 18 months ago. He is the school resource officer at our school. We co-facilitate the peer ministry group at our church for the high school youth.
I, too, have indicated that I am an organ donor on my license.
I think that the gift of an organ is unbeatable. You are giving the gift of life.
i am also an organ donor and know several people who have had transplants, including a young child.
I know someone who is on a list for a transplant. He has a wife and a little boy...someone's tragedy could be his miracle.
I am an organ donor but my fear of needles is so strong, I can't give up my blood. Glad you and Irv do it though.
My mom had to have a blood transfusion once.
What awesome responses everyone and it is so heart warming to see that everyone is a donor. We will all hopefully be able to give someone else a very special gift one day.
Angela....it's okay. I know a lot of people that don't do needles. Irv and I make our next appt. before we even leave the blood center. It's such a small thing to do and helps so many people.
I'm an organ donor as well. My oldest child had open heart surgery at 6 days old which required some transplanted muscle tissue. We are forever grateful.
I have been an organ donor since I lived in Cuba. It freaked me out the first time I saw asked, though. I used to think that if I had a bad accident and as a consequence was at the threshold of Hades, a nurse would be waiting impatiently outside my ward waiting for me to kick the bucket so that she could colelct the organ selected. Phew, what a relief when I found out that this is not what actually happens.
Good and honest post. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
My husband had a congenital heart defect and would not be alive today without a human valve replacement. My thanks and admiration to all those who make this most generous of gifts.
I've been an organ donor for years. Our neighbor received a liver transplant. An organ is the gift of life and allows you to live on in some way through another.
Organ donation is a very generous and loving thing to do. I take my hat off to you. THANK YOU
xo
Reading your post has certainly made me think about this,I will probably make the right decision but I am not quite there yet, but well done you.
Love Jillx
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