Cornea Recipient has a Future in Sight
How do you say thank you to a family, who’s loved one, made a decision to give everything they had, to people they had never met, so those individuals may have life or an enhanced life? How do you express your gratitude toward these heroes and their families?
There are no words that can describe the incredible love that donors possess for their fellow human beings. In the midst of crisis, tragedy or illness, these individuals planned for the future of others and because they did, their legacy continues in the lives of the recipients of their gift.
Because of the selfless act of one family (as we all know, organ and tissue donation IS a family decision), my daughter can SEE! She was only 3 years when a virus stole her vision. She received her Cornea Transplant in 1996. Most Cornea Transplants last approximately 5-8 years. Sarah is on her twelfth year. We were told, at the time, that she might not be able to tell a cat from a dog. She has surpassed all expectations. She is 16 years old and a Sophomore at F.J. Reitz High School, she plays the flute and piccolo (reads music) and plans to pursue a Music Performance Major in College in a couple of years, is in the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Evansville Honors Band & Orchestra, Evansville Art’s Council Member, Freedom Life Center Church Band, will be getting her Driver’s Permit shortly, and she is an Academic Honors student with a 3.95 GPA. Her story is published, as a textbook case that is, at Washington University. (“Typical, white female, age 3 presented with vision loss”).
My daughter would not be where she is today without our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Donor and our Donor’s family, and the support and dedication of caring individuals, like those at MTS, who put so much effort, time, energy, and yes, tears, into educating the public about donation awareness. We are humbled and thankful to be a part of this worthy event.
Sincerely,
The Tuley Family
Sarah, Greg, Tarnrnie and Chris
