|
The story of our own trip is shared in yet another
article, but in this I wanted to complete the
other side of the original "directions" story
written in anticipation of the Games 2000 and
published on page three of
the Opening Ceremonies. The following are
highlights of the Games experience as seen from
many several perspectives - the same people from
that earlier story - a donor mom, a spouse who
lost her husband waiting for a successful liver
transplant, a transplant support professional,
and finally a recipient (twice over) who captained
one of the event teams.
As I call around to "check up" on the post-Games
condition of my fellow Team Philadelphia members,
I asked each how their anticipation had played
out in the actual Games experience - aware of
just how different paths have led them to this
special celebration of life. For each it was a
very different experience.
Pam, one of our donor families, found herself
totally focused on the Games and supporting other
team members. She joined the massive donor family
march into the opening ceremonies with a heavy
heart. From her last visit here at Disney World
there were such loving and painful memories of
her donor son, 13 year old Christopher. She volunteered
as a donor family to present medals, tried to
share this unique experience with her sister and
two young nephews who had accompanied her (but
the Disney parks were such a strong distraction
for them that this caused some frustration - as
it did for so many other attendees), and felt
her heart in tears and pride at the Donor Recognition
ceremonies as Christopher's photo appeared on
the big screen once again. It was such mixed emotions,
this roller coaster of a week - memories that
relived that pain - then the support of the standing
ovation of many close Team Philadelphia friends
and thousands of others in that stadium. So many
friends seemed to stay close through these days,
trying to be there for her in understanding of
the emotions that were happening - whether that
be a conversation over lunch or a supportive arm
in arm sharing of hearts on the bus ride back
from the donor ceremony. All were very special
to her, but the real surprise came upon returning
from that long journey back home. Awaiting her
there was a response to her own earlier note,
a letter from the recipient of her Christopher's
liver. "Such a wonderful letter. It certainly
lifted my spirits...." To see what she found,
check out that recipient's web
tribute to their gift of life.
For another first time team member, Disney World
was where, with her husband of many years dying
awaiting a liver transplant, they had sought the
relief of reality, a final visit of joy as it
turned out. She came to volunteer wherever needed,
but surprisingly found her gift and role to be
that of team cheerleader, sharing her overflowing
energy and spirit with each of us throughout the
days of tears, joy and hard fought competition.
The "ghosts" she had feared from her last visit
thankfully didn't materialize. She enjoyed not
being tied down to any one event as many of the
competitors were when they had to stay for the
whole day to swim for example. Instead she was
everywhere, cheering them on, feeling the special
feelings of being a part of this "worldwide neighborhood"
as she described it. Her strongest emotional memory
from these Games 2000, she says, will be the "overwhelming
love" at the opening ceremonies for the donor
families, the standing ovation of thousands, recipients
and family alike, as throngs of donors marched
into that stadium. The night air filled with love
and thanks for the gifts of life that were here
to show the world what can be when love is the
foundation of a society such as this. Returning
home she found that her energy has returned to
levels know years before her husbands passing,
something has changed. For those of us who know
her constant energy up until the Games, we can't
imagine what living with her will be like in the
months to come (said with a "big smile").
From still another perspective, Mary, our transplant
professional - and beloved Team Philadelphia mother/manager
- found the Games full of the work she had anticipated
despite the many months of preparation and an
excellent OPO team and volunteers helping her.
Of course there were the usual emergencies and
variety of people issues given her responsibilities
for the 191 athletes and over 700 family and supporters
traveling to the Games. But these are surface
things. The real deep "once in a lifetime" heartfelt
memories will remain the scene in which Sue, a
close friend and active donor family mom is reaching
over and presenting the gold medals for the Team
Philadelphia volleyball team, but the tears really
started to flow when her son's own recipient,
Santos, one of the team's members, bowed down
in love and gratitude to receive that ribbon from
this very special lady. In contrast, Mary's second
highlighted Games memory came during the closing
ceremonies. Another of her special team friends,
young Clifford captured the hearts and laughter
of the crowd with his infectious smile and never-ending
wave as he stood center stage with that so contrastingly
tall and famous, Sean Elliot. Once in the limelight,
Clifford seemed intent on experiencing that special
moment and never letting it go! Oh how we all
laughed and waved back to this little hero. His
pride and enthusiasm were what the Games are all
about, making all her work feel so worthwhile.
Finally for Jeff, twice a kidney transplant recipient
(once from a living donor, his mother), and now
a donor family member since the passing of his
beloved father whose organs were gifted to yet
others, was anxious because of his responsibilities
as coach of the Philadelphia volleyball team.
Very much aware that he was "defending the silver"
that team had won in the 1998 Games, Jeff is known
to all as the ardent competitor, veteran of many
past games, both national and worldwide, taking
his competition very seriously. After an initial
win but close call in the opening round, he was
seen trying to refocus his team over lunch, illustrating
strategy with the sugar packets on their table
representing players' positions. Not everyone
was paying attention, but they went on to win
the Gold in that event. At the same time he found
it hard to concentrate only on this team, the
top level team on which he was actually playing,
since he shared the coaching with the other "B"
and "C" level teams that a large contingent like
Philadelphia has to offer, allowing so many members
to participate, each at their own playing level.
As he recalls the thrill of winning the GOLD you
can feel the pride of the competitor he is achieving
their goal, sharing that glory with the friends
that make up that special team. But as his story
continues, you come to see the other side of this
big hearted supporter. As it turns out his other
level team found themselves short of the required
number of players to compete, such a disappointment
for the members who had come so far to play and
show their skills. Despite the forfeit, they still
wanted to play. The remaining team accepted the
addition of these "lost" players, augmenting their
own team at the last minute, even though they
might then play less themselves. Jeff's voice
fills with emotion as he tells of the valiant
play that followed, playing for the love of the
game and celebrating their post transplant life.
Jeff describes it as "living what these Transplant
Games are all about!" Even with the obvious pride
seen in the well earned Gold medal around his
neck, it is this later scene that you feel will
remain with him beyond all the competitions that
have past and will surely yet come for him over
the years. Jeff continues to do what Jeff does
best, supporting others, sharing with the Games'
first time attendees that when all is said and
done, there will be these special unplanned "coincidences"
and happenings that will be the Games memories
that last a lifetime. He shares one such special
happening in telling me that special "coincidence"
story of a chance meeting with a friend here from
games past. I call them "memories from the heart"
- Jeff objecting that "us" kidneys just don't
get fair shakes, but then what would "memories
from the kidney" mean, huh Jeff?
Together, we arrived and left on many different
planes, cars, trains, etc. We each brought our
own "baggage" and with the help and love of family
and friends, that baggage became lighter as we
shared the load together, feeling so normal in
each others understanding and accepting company.
We will take home and share in remembering and
retelling this amazing Games 2000 celebration
of life's victories, each having taken away new
gifts of friendship, love, support and inspiration.
The Games flames have been extinguished until
next time, the announcement made: "These Games
are closed!" And the many teams of survivors -
recipients, donors, family, supporters and friends
- will return to their daily lives enriched by
the 2000 Games experiences - filled with joy and
other emotions only each are able to feel and
understand given those directions from whence
they came. My own gifted new heart reaches out
in love and thanks to each of you for all the
beautiful sharings, now awaiting the Games in
2002 to see you all again.
|
