I found out about this movie much too late to back their crowdfunding campaign, but even then I was intrigued.
I found The Wave Set on social media & reached out to them wondering when the film would be released.
Tag Archives: living donors
Movie Review: Going In Style
For the past few years it was pretty hard for me to see movies.
For one, I was worried about my oxygen tank running out (I had one leak in the theatre once) & it was hard to fit it in the seats even in the disabled seating area.
(Even when I had my portable concentrator I was self conscious about if it was making too much noise even when it was stowed under my seat.)
But now, post transplant I find I can go to a matinee & enjoy myself without having to worry too much about crowds & germs (I do carry my mask in case).
My attention is also better.
It’s a relief because I really do enjoy movies, documentaries especially.
Ari Sytner Commits Himself to Raising Organ Donation Awareness
This is a subject I haven’t really touched on. The ongoing controversy & commentary as to whether inmates can or should be allowed to donate their organs. I didn’t know how to broach it until my friend Ari, who is a living kidney donor & a rabbi, weighed in on it himself when asked by 60 Minutes Australia.
I know Ari through Twitter & now through supporting his Kickstarter campaign. (Please check it out & back his project, it really is worth it).
He’s a very positive person who I am so happy does so many things to champion organ donation as a whole, but especially living donation as well.
I’m glad he’s discussing some of the more hot button issues like inmate donation.
On the recipient end, we are always given the choice.
Yes, there could be certain diseases that we could be exposed to but the organs are tested thoroughly.
We are told the nature of the high risk donation & given the detail & they re-iterate the risks. We can then choose to accept or not accept the organ.
Even if I ran the small risk of contracting hepatitis I would still accept the organ because Hepatitis can be treated & managed & I know it wasn’t given to me intentionally because it was screened. The risk is, if I pass on that organ & I’ve already been waiting 7 months for a call to come already, it could be another 7 months I might have to wait again if I decide I’m not comfortable with the risk. It’s up to the recipient to weight their quality of life & situation on a case-by -case basis.
No good or willing organ should be discarded just because it came from an inmate. Inmates are people. I don’t think they should be forced or mandated to donate if they clearly don’t want to, but I would willingly accept an inmates organs & treasure them for the gift they are.
I know others may see things differently, but it is something you cannot decide until you’re there in that moment in the wait yourself & fighting for your life.
Thank you Ari, for what you are doing to increase donation awareness as a whole but to reach out to others to encourage them to also choose living donation if possible.
I know several who have benefitted from the experience (both donors & recipients) so it really does warm my heart to see someone so committed to championing that & also taking on issues that might seem to be a barrier or an excuse not to donate.
(Photo credit: Ari’s twitter profile photo)
Article: ‘Gift Certificate’ Concept Enables Kidney Donation, Transplant When Needed
This innovative program by UCLA is a step in the right direction for organs that can be donated through a living donor.
Interesting News Article: Matt Cartwright Proposes Incentives To Spur New Organ Donors
I’ve always held Congressman Matt Cartwright in high regard (even though he’s not in my district) because he does try to take bipartisan approaches on several issues. I was excited to see one of my local news outlets reporting on one of his new ideas.
He’s come up with a unique way to spur donors & potentially resolve a hot button issue concerning potential compensation for donors.
I have yet to touch that hot button in a blog post because I was ambivalent on how I feel about it & am still thinking on how I want to articulate my feelings.
It’s a complex issue.
Time To Bust The Celebrity Organ Donation Myth
One of the things that recently unnerved me as of late is the adamant perpetuation & belief of an outdated myth. The myth that states just because you’re a celebrity, it some how gives you elevated status on the transplant list or a way to game the system. This simply is untrue & dangerous to keep perpetuating as reality.
Transplant Advances: Simultaneous Stem Cell/Kidney Transplant – Can The Combination Negate Need For Immunosuppressants?
A Transplant Exchange Fostered By…Tinder???
I know I’ve been heavy & introspective lately again, as usual for me when I’m tossing things around. My next lung transplant follow-up appointment is tomorrow. Admittedly before any doctor’s appointment (regardless of news or lack thereof) I get a little amped. This is always the case & has been since 2004. I’ve been doing a good job taking my mind off of it for the first few days this week, but then also trying to do some preparing yesterday & today (if I have any lingering questions that popped into my head that I need to discuss).
I recently was introduced to someone in my local area, close in age to me, with some similar issues. He had his double lung transplant in May & is doing well. So for the past few days, as I’ve thought of different questions in relation to his journey & experiences that have come up that I’ve been asking as he’s reached out to me. Having him as an ear & sounding board has helped me process a few things that I wasn’t quite grasping before & I see that as a good thing.
Yet, today I had a bevy of things I could write about. I felt something else was in order. So low and behold I found this on my friend Leslie Franklin‘s Twitter feed recently & thought it was unique enough to share.
AS I LIVE & BREATHE 