Organ donation has always been a story in two halves. On one side, there is a recipient, given a second chance at life and the hope of a new future, often after years of waiting. On the other side, there is often a family in mourning, facing their own terrible loss even as they find the courage to give someone else a new start.
Occasionally, a living donor is brave enough to volunteer, placing their own future health at risk to save the life of a loved one.
How do you even begin to say thank you for such a sacrifice? We spoke to five organ recipients about gratitude, second chances, and paying it forward.
Tina Beckbessinger
'I was six months old when I was diagnosed with major heart complications, and doctors told my parents I would not live past the age of 7. But I have never been one to do as I am told, and surprised everyone by making it through high school.
'In my early 20s my health deteriorated fast, but I was told I'd only go onto the transplant waiting list once I'd lost sufficient quality of life. When I was 28, I was sleeping 20 hours a day. I was on oxygen round the clock; I'd shaved my head because I didn't have the strength to brush my hair; I lived on soup because I didn't have the strength to chew.
So I asked my doctors, how much more quality of life do you want me to lose? And they finally put me on the list.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March/April 2024 من Fairlady.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March/April 2024 من Fairlady.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
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