Hello, and welcome to the Give to Life podcast, where we have conversations about organ, tissue, and iodine donation. I'm Laurie Steele. I'm Joey Boudreau. I'm Sally Chintry.
We are all smiles because you choose to listen, and what we hope is that you choose to pass this along. Our goal is to make life happen, and we try to make it as easy as possible for you to join us in that mission. Absolutely, Laurie. We want you to listen in.
You can find us on iTunes, Google Play, or any of your favorite podcast apps. And listen, if you want to see some of what we're talking about, we post pictures, and we do updates on Facebook, donate live Louisiana. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram at Donate Life LA, and Ms. Sally, I'm hearing about a hotline.
Oh, yes, indeed. And for those of you who prefer to call in on own, rather than all this other high-tech stuff, you can reach us at 504-648-3477. Oh, yeah, we still call each other, right? Yeah, that's still works, too.
So we want this to be interactive. Yeah, we want this to be interactive. We may use your audio. We want to know what you're thinking, and we want to make life happen.
So join us today. Let's get started. All right, guys, this is kind of a flashback episode for the gifted life. Those are fun.
We're going to be taking you back to Transplant Games 2016. Absolutely, Laurie, just to see these guys maybe a year out or just a little bit old or competing against other Transplant recipients, giving it their best. It is amazing to watch them and to hear their stories. And what I find really fascinating is all the people that you were able to talk with, get their stories, hear how they got there.
And everyone was so upbeat, they were so happy, and you and your friend Troy did a great job. Yeah, and Kirsten, yeah, we had a crew out there. It was so much fun. And to be on the ground level, you know, we were all going for medals because, you know, it was the games.
But once they crossed a finish line, or once they completed a basketball game, it was like victory no matter what. That was awesome. And that's what we want you to hear. So enjoy.
Laurie Steele here, Transplant Games 2016, bowling, going on behind us. But we want to introduce you to some of the people who make all of this possible. Our partners from across the country, who met Miss Marylin. How are you?
I'm good. Good. She's a lifeline of Ohio. So tell us a little bit about Lifeline of Ohio.
Well Lifeline of Ohio is the OPO that serves Central and Southeastern Ohio. We're located in Columbus. Ohio is unique in that we have four OPOs that serve this day. Wow, so big state.
Yeah, we talk about that a lot in our community presentations. One of the sponsors of the games, and it seems like a natural fit, right? It was great. And the games were coming to Ohio.
We were so excited. For us, Cleveland's only two hours away. And we really came together as a state, all of the OPOs and Tissue Banks, the I-Banks, to really make this a statewide event. One of the things that we did was we carried the torch around the state.
And it was really fun to have those torch run events at every location all over the state of Ohio. And it was one of the things we could do together. It was really about raising awareness about the need for donation, but more importantly, letting people know about the difference a donor can make, the torch, how people see the importance of the donor's gift. We promoted our registry in locations all over the 88 counties of Ohio.
And I've heard that registration is just poured in once they hear. Yeah, certainly it has helped to boost registration. Ohio is one of the larger states for donor registrations, and so we grow, you know, in really small increments. But we know that people's stories influence people and then ultimately change lives.
Yeah, and I love giving everybody a story. You two have a story because you've been helping to save lives for almost 20 years. I have. I've been with Life of Ohio that long.
My first games was in 1998, and they were actually in Columbus, Ohio. So I came to the OPO and immediately joined the committee that was developing and planning those games. So these games have been a part of my history. And so I'm really happy they're back in Ohio.
And certainly an event like this just charges my battery. I know. So I'm ready to go, keep going because you need so many people. There's so many stories.
It's so inspiring. I love it. Now we were just watching a bunch of recipients and donor families together, and they're going, but they're talking and they're hugging and they're having a good time. And that's what we like to see.
Oh, absolutely. And that's what I said, you know, social media has changed since I've... Yeah, true. Yeah.
And we communicate, but I love watching all the posts and seeing people talking about the stories that they've come in contact with. So it's a great thing. I think it rejuvenates us all. And I don't know if you know, we're going to share the word with you and with you.
We have a podcast in Louisiana. It's called The Gifted Life. So you can download it on your podcast app. We're going to lope.org slash podcast, but it's sharing stories like yours and these recipients and donor families, but it's working together as a team because we're teammates.
We're partners too. Yeah. And it's all about saving more lives. Yeah, because organs are shared all over the country, no matter where they don't really so it's a great thing.
There you go. And then we always honor a hero and also we're doing here at the Transplant Games. 2016. Laurie Steele here at Transplant Games 2016 met this too cool family that we had to share with you.
Number one, this is Mrs. Peanut. How are you? I'm fine.
Thank you. You guys are from Georgia? Yes. Right.
And you dress as a team mascot. So peanut, right? Mrs. Peanut.
Yeah. And you have some slick dance moves. Of course, right? So how old are you?
I'm 87. I should have said, how young are you, right? 87. Love her.
This is your daughter Judy. And then Judy's husband is Joe and Joe received. A heart transplant in 1996. 1996.
That's incredible. 1998. 1998. So, you know, incredible.
I want to start with you, your inspiration, the whole reason that you're alive and well and coming to these games is because of a hero named Brian. Brian is a organ donor that gave me his heart 20 years ago in November. He was 19 years old. He was selected to be only on her squad for the homecoming game.
He was running across the street to tell his foster sister that he had been selected when he was struck by a car. He broke a leg, cracked a rib, put a small bruise on his cheek. Severe hit injury. They took him to the hospital, put him on a ventilator to help stabilize him.
And the brain began to swell and they couldn't stop him. He became brain dead. Now, foster parents don't have the legal rights that we do over our children. He had a donor's card in his wallet.
He had donor on his driver's license. This is 20 years ago. Wow, yeah. And they had to get permission from the next account.
The donor family, Ruth and Bob, being a foster parent could not sign paperwork to make it happen. Life link of Georgia had to get a recorded conversation from the blood mother and his 16-year-old brother signed for his mom. And that's how I got my heart. Oh my goodness, since it was 20 years ago, transplant wasn't talked about a whole lot back then.
It was just going through your mind. Oh, you're gone. When we heard that he needed a transplant, it was seven years prior to that, right? So the doctor had just said he will need a transplant in time to seven years.
So at that time we were like, I don't know, you know, about transplant. But the closer it got in the sickery got, it was like, what other option do we have? The option, yeah. So it was, it's been a journey.
And it's been one that now we wouldn't try for anything because the people in the pan that God put us on in the transplant path has just been incredible. And I love that you guys do it as a family, right? So when did you start dressing up as Mrs. Peanut?
That was at the tin games, 2010. Before that, she had to work in and sit in the audience up in the top with my wife. Okay. And she had been coming to the game since 1998.
I said, I'm going to change that. If I can get her as a mascot, she can walk in with me. Wow. So 20 years ago, you're 87 years young now.
So in your mind, donation is what? What do you think about it? I think it's the stories that are told. Yeah, here are the transplantcans.
Yeah. And I think that it's all about these people hearing the stories and 7,000 with them being happy for them. And that's what the game's just about. Yeah.
And what do you think about this young man right here, Brian? Oh, I think it's wonderful. Yeah. And his family is wonderful to remember to do that.
And I think it's great that all of you continue to come here, celebrate not only Joe's life, but celebrate the life of Brian as well. So when you're dressed up and you're the team mascot for Georgia, what do you do? Do you shake it? Like you were doing on the dance floor earlier?
Not many moves are seen in the costume. That's what she does. It's great. I disagree to people and give away my pins.
Yeah, but that's a thing. Everybody wants to trade pins. Do you have our team, Louisiana, one? Yeah.
One. Okay. And I have a Georgia pin. All right.
We're good. Sisters now. All right. Thank y'all for sharing your story.
Thanks for coming to the transplant games. Do I want to see? Yes, I want to see. There she is.
That's her pin. She even has a little uniform to come here. Team Georgia, Mrs. Peanut, and you are all dressed up.
I just love it. I love it to do it as a family. I thought she was precious. She just touched my heart and we had to share this story as well.
And then we learned about Sweet Brian too. So the luck of the transplant games. How do you want any medals yet? Not yet.
Jocon. Bowling. Monday and Tuesday. He can do it, right?
Oh, yes. All right. We thank you so much, Joe, Judy, and Mrs. Peanut.
Fourteen. All right. We're coming from transplant games 2016. My name is Michael Doudy.
I'm 24 years old. I received a double loan transplant in November 10, 2014. I'm here. Transplant games could be in a cornhole, cycling, darts, and volleyball.
Is this your first time at the Games? Yes. This is my first time. I'm excited about meeting new people, training pins.
Whenever we got here the first day, we registered, got my pins and started training and meeting a lot of new people. What's it like meeting other recipients? Is that one of the highlights? Yeah, it's nice meeting the recipients to know that you have somebody that has gone through the same thing as you and hearing their story and what happened and where they're from and stuff.
So it's exciting to meet new people. So what was your motivation to come? I would have to say just when I knew they were doing cycling, darts, cornhole, and volleyball, I've did all those games since I was young. So it was nice to come out and do something that I know and have fun doing it.
Does it feel good to do it now that you had your transplant? Yes. It feels amazing. Manistas and nephews, they want me to always go play with them, go play with them.
They never really understood it. They understood I had to see it and I was sick and all that, but they never really knew why. So once I got my lungs and I was able to run around and play with them, they were excited and they always had a phone with me. So who's with you supporting me today?
They're with me today's my wife and my parents. I had a sister, Tristan. She passed away when she was eight years old in 1990 due to cystic fibrosis. She had a lot of complications, she had swallowed a piece of cheese and it got lodged in her middle lobe.
So since then she had complications and unfortunately she passed away in 1990. I was born in 1992. I was diagnosed at 18 months old. I ended out of the hospital very young age, pneumonia, mainly with kidney down in sinuses.
I was on the list a year or month in a day, November 10th. I got my first call and then it took three more calls after that to finally get my sit-alone for me. So the first few times was hard but then I always knew it was time at the time. So I was just patiently waiting and living my life as I was before.
I was listening. Once I got my call for my lungs, I was ready to go. It was amazing. I was in the hospital for two or three weeks.
I was up the same day in Sit-Luck, in a chair without a letter. By the next day I was walking so it took a great walk. As soon as I took the three vow I could tell a big difference. So it's been amazing since I had a transplant.
Transplant Games 2016 still going strong. A lot of this little family, these are the Babins from Slide Eloise, Indiana. And we are all here because of this guy right here. His name is Blake Babbin and it's his dad, mom, siblings, cute little blond family.
I just love it. How are the geeks? It's been great. We went to the first time we went was in 2014 and we were just blown away.
And just to meet other kids and other families that are going through the same thing that you're going through. And you wake up accustomed to everything's a normal ride and all of a sudden you get brought back to reality. But it's a great experience and we've enjoyed it and we continue to do it every year, every other two years. So tell us about Blake's story.
It started 14 years ago. Actually we found out about 19 weeks in Euro that Blake had a hyper-plastic left-part syndrome. And the doctors gave us some options and after a long time of prayer and everything we decided that we'd put him on a transplant list. We put him on a transplant list about a grace of God.
Our kid was able to get a heart that two weeks old. Wow, two weeks old. So how old are you now? 14.
We've got a teenager in the house Babbins. Oh man. Alright, so tell us about the games. What do you think about them?
They're really fun and it's fun to meet people who have gone through what I know. Yeah. So people who have walked the walk just like you. Warriors.
We love it. And so what do you think about organization? Well, it's day of my life so I can't know. That's right.
I love it and I love the smile. Now I heard you played some basketball. And I heard you hit some baskets and got Team Louisiana some points. How'd that feel?
Yeah. It was fun. Did you hear about your cheering? I do think Louisiana is loudest.
What do you think? Loudest band? Loudest band for sure. So as a mom, you're watching this guy here perform and do well.
So what does that do for you, mom? Oh, it fills my heart. Yeah. You know, we were one place away from a medal but it might go like flake metal in a whole different way.
Yes. We came off the court. He laid it and excited and congratulated by our team and even their opposing team and just the hugs and it was on. Yeah.
So Blake, you traveled with an entourage. Support system here and you guys have really been troopers because these have been some long days. So we've been having fun meeting people. Yeah.
He's like, yeah, yeah. Awesome. You know, to the Phoenix James. Yeah, yeah, free set.
Hand sanitizer. I just imported here at the Games of Transplant Paysons. Awesome. So donation, mom and dad means what?
If you had to sum it up in one word or one sentence. Almost. It's a must. It's the most generous gift I think another family could give and their time of grief is to give another family life.
And we've been seeing that again and again. We had the donor tribute. You guys have written to the donor. We haven't heard back but one day maybe.
And then what would you say to that family? Do we even have we put it into words? Put it into words. I just think a big hug and a thank you.
Yeah. All right. We pray for them every day. We pray and thank Kevin every day.
For this big gift. We say grace. That's just part of our prayer. Normal.
Normal for the badends. So for folks who are watching this at home who haven't been to the Games but they're tied to the foundation. Would you recommend? Absolutely.
Absolutely. Yeah. All right. It's a moving powerful, overwhelmingly loving experience for I think the donor side and the recipient side.
Just to all come together and celebrate life and celebrate the gift of working with. Yeah. So Blake if there's someone like you out there and they want to come to the Games would you tell them to do it? Yes.
Absolutely. All right. We appreciate the badends. You can hear more of their story on our gift of like podcast.
You can download it on your favorite podcast app or go to lopa.org slash podcast. You have to do it today girl. All right. On three we're gonna say Team Louisiana.
One, two, three. Team Louisiana. Again guys a flashback from Transplant Games 2016. I mean that's incredible.
Right. All those stories. Yeah Laura just to think you know a year ago two years ago some of these people were you know struggling you know hoping for that second chance of life and look at what they're doing with it now. Talk about inspiring and uplifting and they all seem so happy and just thrilled to be participating.
Yeah. I just love all of these stories. I love Team Louisiana. I love the new friends and partners we made from not only across the country but across the world.
It's incredible. Look you want to see more here more you can go to lopa.org on our podcast page. You can click on these videos. You can also go to our YouTube channel.
We've been using these stories and churches and civic groups and schools across the state and you can use them to it's all about making life happen. Join us today. In our family support segment today we are talking about children and grief. We were fortunate enough to speak with Sharon Westbury of our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital and she talked a lot about the services that were provided with the impact of grief on children.
So we're going to explore a little bit further with Sally here and she's going to talk a little bit more about children and traumatic events. You know most kids want to feel powerful and that they're in control of their lives but what happens when someone they love dies. They lose that safety and security that they believe adults can provide to them. And the reason I say that is because many times adults are very diswrapped up in their own grief and they kind of forget about the kids.
Not because they think that's something they need to do or want to do. It's just that you know when we all go through some serious life issues like this. Sometimes it's hard to think of others even if our own children which makes it difficult for the kids to understand you know I think you've kind of forgotten about me. It gives them a sense that their security is not there for them.
It creates feelings of fright vulnerability and sometimes you see children act out in ways of how they actually feel. Because you know you'll see a child that's been very good in school, make a grade, gets along with their peers or with other siblings and then when something traumatic happens in their life. Next thing their grades drop or they start picking fights you know these sort of things and many times they just don't want to talk about it because they're not sure how can they tell people what is it they can tell. Kind of like what Sharon talked about that many times adults skirt around the issue of death because it's very difficult for them and they think they're protecting their children but the children know.
I mean kids are pretty perceptive about it. Absolutely. And so some of the common reactions that I think is important for people to recognize is that you know preschool children they'll start crying. They're all kind of sucking you know being more clinging you know maybe they're being afraid of people that they normally be running up to and interacting with and sometimes they just don't want to be left alone.
There's that clinging part of it. And then children who are ages six to eleven you get the physical complaints or you sense they're depressed or they just don't want to have anything to do with anyone. There could be aggression with family with peers also they might revert back to previous behaviors and you know that something is I think we've talked about over time here is that the way that we cope when we're children. And you know how the same coping mechanisms kick in when we're adults and you will see that when any of us goes through a traumatic situation like this we do revert back to old ways of behaving because it made us feel safe and secure.
So this is kind of what we see going on with the children too. And then gets that are between twelve and seventeen which is also a very difficult time anyway for children. You see different changes in sleep disturbances or emotional turmoil maybe decline in previous responsibilities that they maybe take out the garbage or help pick up dishes or walk the dog or you know things like this that they just I don't want to do it anymore. You can't get to them and they too have fears and concerns about safety.
So you know all these behaviors play into the traumatic event that's happened for them in their lives. So I think some of the things that can be very helpful for us as adults to know when interacting with children that when we're talking about death we can be honest about it and be able to speak with them kind of their age or level of understanding. You know because when doors are shut or whispers are going on kids automatically take that as a personal thing that I'm being abandoned they're leaving me behind. Why don't they want to share this with me?
And even though we as adults think well no we're just trying to shield them. That's really not a healthy way for children to understand that death is part of living. And it's not to trivialize what's going on for them but reaching out touching holding them letting them know everything will be okay. And also being honest and just reassure them that you're there for them no matter if your heart's breaking for maybe another child that you may have just recently lost.
You still have other children in the family and they need you desperately. And it takes some time for the adults to work through all this as it does for the children too. But encourage a child to talk with you about it. It's okay.
Let's talk about you know brother sister you know mom dad whatever the case may be. And then at the absolute end of all this if you as that parent thinks that your child is still not doing well and there's difficulties you can always reach out to a professional. Or if we may be of any assistance to you please reach out to us at familyservices at lopa.org. We will be happy to refer you to a local support group or perhaps an individual counselor.
Or there's lots of information that we can provide to you that's on the internet that is good reliable information to help you and your children deal with a traumatic event. Alright thanks Sally all good information. If you have something you want to ask Sally info at lopa.org. At this point in the get-to-life podcast but you want to pause and honor a hero.
Yeah Laurie this episode will be honoring Bobby Wayne Nation. He was 28 years old at the time of his passing. This was written by his mom and she says our son's time on earth ended April 13 2015. He had a brother Michael and a dog Apple Marie we love very deeply.
The doctor spoke to us about Bobby's condition. I remember telling the doctor that it had been Bobby's wish to be an organ donor. He had spoken openly about it to us. He put it on his license.
Bobby was a handsome feller. He had curly hair, blue eyes and he had big old temples. He could easily make a room full of people laugh. Bobby loved the sing songs creating his own funny lyrics.
Bobby was a giver and had a heart of gold. Bobby gave the gift of life and now we have some peace knowing that he lives on in others. One of his recipients was his own grandmother. I'm happy to report she is doing well.
Because of Bobby's strong love of music he also of course loved guitars. So his grandmother named her kidney, Hendricks. Our son will always be alive in our memory and hearts. If you want more of Bobby's story you want to see pictures you want to see those dimples that the parents are talking about go to Lopa.org click on our hero stories you can learn more about Bobby Nation this hero or other heroes from across our area.
Thank you to Bobby for the gift of life. At this point in the podcast we take your questions and hopefully provide the answers that you are seeking. Joey this one comes in to us. I was told that since I can't donate blood I can't be an organ donor.
True. That is absolutely false. And there are many reasons that you would possibly not be able to be a blood donor. One of those is simply you don't weigh enough with potential recipients being you know 12 pounds 20 pounds or whatever.
You have to have that same or similar size to be able to match up as a donor and recipient. So that's one of the primary differences there. One of the other big differences is that if you have certain infectious diseases like hepatitis you can still be an organ donor. And even now with the whole back you can have HIV and still be an organ donor.
Of course those are matched up with similar recipients with those recipients that have hepatitis or that have HIV. So because it is a life-saving organ and you don't have any other options there the potential is a lot less conservative for organ donation as opposed to blood donation. And we have a volunteer who is a recipient and he said his whole life he had diabetes and he was told you can't do this you can't do that you can't donate blood and then when he found out he could be an organ donor it was like a rite of passage. I'm getting that heart I did it and then he needed a transplant so his story is pretty powerful Donnie Troxler in the Baton Rouge area who's always helping us out and paying it forward.
Thanks for the question. Thanks for the answer Joe. More to come. Alright guys we hope you enjoyed a look back at Transplant Games 2016 I just thought it was incredible.
It was very special thanks to Team Louisiana going out traveling out to Cleveland, Ohio representing Louisiana in such a way that they did and of course sharing their wonderful stories with us. And thanks to all the participants who are spreading awareness across the state they just did a fantastic job and sharing their stories are just awesome. Yeah and you still have access to these stories Lopa.org you can click on our podcast page or visit our YouTube channel so if you have to do a presentation at a school or a civic group or you just want to talk to your church or something like that you can use these stories testimonials about the power of donations. So go out do something today that you don't normally do to help us make life happen.
Have a good one.