Somebody recently pointed out to me that my blog has been noticeably
quiet. Mostly, I have found it hard to express myself on the many things I’ve
taken an interest in politically in past months as I have found myself in the
position we all find ourselves in from time to time, the struggle of not
expressing personal political beliefs at the risk of having them clash with the
interests of my professional life.
That being said, there is a good chance that the person curious about my lack of blog posts was more concerned about the way my frustrations were coming out in other ways…like texts that are novels, wine induced ranting and passive aggressive Facebook posts.
So I was happy to finally find something I can comfortably
express my opinion about again…organ donation! Ahhhh, I feel so much better
already.
The province has announced that there will soon be a public consultation
about the prospect of implied consent for organ donation. Essentially it means
that you will have to take five minutes to opt
out of organ donation, rather than taking five minutes to opt in.
Let’s be clear, it does not take away your right to decide
what you want to do. It is still your choice.
It will take you longer to read this post, then to opt out
if you decide you are not comfortable with the idea of being an organ donor.
Let’s ignore the alarmingly common argument that this will
encourage government to take lives early and unnecessarily to get organs. While
through the years I have often questioned the leadership in our province, I
believe it’s too early to start worrying about the provincial government creating
a murderous black market for our organs. That might be a tad dramatic.
I have also seen the words “slavery”, “morally bankrupt”, “anti-democratic”
etc. thrown around in relation to this idea. Again, a tad dramatic.
While I pray daily to the universe that the bulk of the online
commenting community in public forums is not in fact representative of
humanity, I was still surprised to see so much hatred, anger and negativity
towards this idea.
What hit me most was the constant use of the words “they”
and “taking”.
“They’re not taking my organs.”
“They’re” not “taking” anything of mine without my
permission.”
“Who do “they” think “they” are “taking” away my right to
choose?”
I found this interesting for various reasons. Who is the “they”
that will be taking your organs?
The Liberals? Because I don’t think Stephen McNeil will be
hoarding and harvesting organs in his shed. They are not the ones asking for
your organs, they are simply encouraging you donate them.
“They”, the people who will actually receive your organs,
will be mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, family, friends and neighbors or,
tragically, someone’s child. That’s the “they” you should be thinking about
when you make this decision.
Because one of these days it could be “you” or “yours” on
that waiting list.
And why are we so concerned with looking at organ donation
as “taking”. Why can’t we turn that idea around to “giving”. You are “giving”
back life. To someone’s family member. To someone’s friend. To someone’s child.
In fact, I think this whole province, this whole planet,
would do better if we focused less on what is “ours” and what’s being “taken”
and focused a little more on what we have to give. Because no matter how little
you have, you always have something to give.
I get that talking and thinking about organ donation is not
overly fun. I’m not super thrilled with the idea when I think too hard about it
myself, any more than I am about deciding whether I want to be cremated or
buried. Facing your own mortality sucks. Making decisions for your children’s
mortality sucks. Making this decision for a family member last minute because
you never planned ahead, sucks.
Do you know what else sucks?
Watching someone you love live less of a life, or slowly die
because there is no organ available for them. Watching our province pay out
billions of dollars in health care to treat patients for the years they sometimes have to wait for an
organ. Finding out you could have helped someone, but didn’t because you didn’t
opt in.
Agreeing to be an organ donor can save more than 8 lives,
and it can positively affect dozens more. Not to mention the countless others who
are touched when a life is saved.
I am aware that some people don’t donate for religious
reasons, or just aren’t comfortable. Let’s reiterate. This does not take away your choice to be or not to be an organ donor.
What it does do is eliminate the people who don’t take the time to opt in or
are on the fence.
Because let’s face it, unless we are in a situation where
getting an organ affects us directly, it’s not usually top of mind. Let’s hope
you’re never in a situation where that is all
that is top of mind.
At the end of the day, whether public consultation leads to
implied consent, or if we just keep opting in as we want to, I encourage you to
think long and hard about the decision and the positive impact you can have by
being a donor. Maybe put yourself in someone else’s shoes for a few moments if
you have thus far been lucky enough to not
find yourself in need.
Someday you might not be so lucky.
