I have had this up for a while and wouldnt mind more input on the subject so here is the link to older post

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=7536

I wasn't sure where you wanted me to reply, so I chose here, lol.

I have had a donor sticker on my license since they first came out. I have never been sentimental about the remains of my body, to be honest. I wanted them to take any and every thing they could use to improve someone else's life.

However, eight years ago I had to start saying "no", and it was psychologically devastating. Maybe I was being over-sensitive, but I swear the lady at the driver's licensing place gave me a disappointed look! I have aids, so of course I no longer qualify as a donor. When I told her that, I had NO idea that I would then end up with a notice on the back of my license stating I had a "medical condition, r.e. aids/hiv"! It's not that I am ashamed of it, but having it printed on the back of my license isn't fun... even checkers at stores see it. But I have gotten off the original subject.

I plan on leaving my body to science, some school can use it for teaching purposes, but it's not the same thing. I implore anyone healthy enough to donate to please do so. Not only does it change many lives, that gift you give... but it helps ease the sorrow of the loved ones you leave behind.

I used to tease my Driver's License Office about my being an
Organ Donor --- if it had to be a Wurtlizer, Yamaha, Lowery ...

I always made their day!

Rouge, Thanks so very much for sharing and posting a reply. Aids is something not many think about when it comes to organ donation .. so you helped much much . w.t.f. on having a notice on your lie. I would be way upset also . Leaving your body to science is a generous thing to do...
I have decided organs is as far as I will give on that topic so kudos to you.

Southie you wise cracker smarty love ya . keep up the sunshine and smiles .
Peace Peace
BMW p.s. Thankyou both for your replies

or will be as soon as I pass onto a better life. Do you know how many teenagers are in car accidents? Way too many!!! So I do not think 16 is too young to make that very important choice. I have had that choice on my drivers license for a number of years. At the time I put it on two people had to sign the license that indeed that was your wishes. I signed for my best friend and she signed for me. Last year she died and saved two peoples lives, plus give sight to a young man. AS you can see she did not die in vain, and her wonderful life is carried on by these others she helped. Carose

Hi all! I am very passionate about organ donation. My son had a kidney transplant in 1994. We were fortunate enough that I was a good enough match. It has given him quality of Life....*altho I keep telling him he just went thru menopause like me*

I personally thank anyone who makes it known that they want to be a donor... *you are also doing a wonderful thing Rogue, don't think for one minute that you aren't*

take care all....

Daisymay, How neat to hear from your point of view... a reciving family, and also the donating family all in one. Glad to know your son is doing good .
Thankyou for sharing.
Carose .... my oldest is 16 and has been nagging to get her drivers licence, she already has learners. when she got learners we had this talk that included organ doantion . She is going for her test in 2 weeks and will probly have oragn donor on it ... like Mom dose . Very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend but sorta comforting to know a part of them has helped another in a life changing way. . Many thanks for Sharing that story .
Many blessing to both of you.
Peace Peace
BMW

I don't know why I forgot to include this in my first post... maybe because my ex-father-in-law died 23 ago, and I divorced his son 17 years ago.

His name was ****, and yes, he was one lol. He was a raging alcoholic who made life miserable for his wife and son. (Yes, his son carried the gene, that's why we divorced.) **** died from a brain stem stroke, it wasn't pretty.

His wife Eleanor donated his organs, skin, eyes, etc. Personally, I didn't hold out much hope that his alcohol-ridden body would be of much use to anyone. He had been a drunk for over 25 years, after all.

Much to everyone's surprise, the Dr.s were able to use everything except his liver! His heart, lungs, eyes, kidneys... it was all usable. They used his skin on burn victims as well.

Eleanor received 17.. count em, 17... letters letting her know about the lives her donation saved. They gave her all the info except patients names.

It was an amazing thing, watching Eleanor transform. The husband she had been ashamed of for many years had finally made a GOOD difference in peoples lives! She was finally able to mention him with pride, able to tell everyone about the good his death had done for so many people. She hung all 17 of those letters on the living room wall, they are there to this day. (According to my ex, who I asked if I could share this story. Now that he's sober, we can actually talk.. made our son's wedding a much more comfortable event, lol)

I just wanted to tell you all this to show that almost anyone can make a difference.

Note: The name he went by was a nicname for Richard...started with a "D". I didn't realize that wouldn't go through the sensors, lol.

What a touching story Rogue.... thank you for sharing....

Somehow thru all the sadness in his life, Eleanore found a way to make a positive.... I am totally in awe of that....