Facts about organ donations and persons with developmental disabilities

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 The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council (OKDDC) and Transplant Donor Services are reminding Oklahomans that persons with disabilities have a history in our state of donating and receiving gifts of life. Recent national conversations about this issue have led to considerable debate.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council (OKDDC) and LifeShare Transplant Donor Services are reminding Oklahomans that persons with disabilities have a history in our state of donating and receiving gifts of life. Recent national conversations about this issue have led to considerable debate.

Did you know:

• Approximately 900 Oklahomans are currently waiting for an organ transplant and some of them are persons with disabilities.
• People with disabilities can be organ and tissue donors. The diagnosis of a cognitive or physical disability is rarely a factor in whether organs and tissue can be recovered from a donor (with the family’s permission).
• People with disabilities deserve the same lifesaving health care as those without. The presence of a disability should never be the sole grounds for denying transplantation.
• Medical studies indicate that persons with cognitive disabilities adhere to their post-transplant, medical regimen just as effectively as any other organ recipient precisely because they likely live in settings with supporting family and staff.
  

OKDDC and LifeShare would like you to meet four Oklahoma families whose loved one has a disability and donated or received a gift of life: 

Jaedyn Krusinsky, Lawton, Donor: Born with hydrocephalus, Jaedyn was a happy girl who loved her brother and music. As a baby she had numerous surgeries and passed away from a seizure when she was two years old. Jaedyn’s family decided to donate her organs and tissue. Media contact: Larissa Krusinsky (mother) at 580-678-5271 or lnkrusinsky@hotmail.com.

Richard Lowe, Wagoner, Donor: Richard never met a stranger and he would gladly help anyone in need. When he passed away at the age of 51, Richard's family decided to extend his legacy by donating his organs and tissue. That donation has helped save the lives of four other people. Media contact: Louise Tibbs (mother) at 918-682-8928.

Jessica Heinen, Oklahoma City, Recipient: At the age of 13, Jessica required a heart transplant because of cardio myopathy. At the time, her family was not sure she would even qualify for a transplant due to her developmental disability. Today, Jessica is a fun-loving, happy-go-lucky 25-year-old. She cheers for the Oklahoma City Thunder, volunteers at the animal shelter once a week to fulfill her love for dogs and works for Goodwill. Media contact: Lisa Heinen (mother) at 405-659-7977.

Henry Weathers, Oklahoma City, Recipient: Henry was born with a complex congenital heart condition in 2002. As a result of ensuing open-heart surgeries, he incurred a significant brain injury. At the age of five, Henry received a new heart and is now continuing to thrive. His mother is an advocate for people with disabilities as well as organ donation issues. Media contact: Erin Taylor (mother) at 405-226-0790 or Erin.Taylor@okddc.ok.gov.

For more information about organ donations received from persons with developmental disabilities, contact Erin Taylor, OKDDC Adult Advocacy and Training Coordinator, at 405-226-0790.

For more information about the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council, call 405-521-4984 or visit the OKDDC website at http://www.okddc.ok.gov/.

For more information about LifeShare Transplant Donor Services, contactKaty Smith, LifeShare Director of Marketing and Communications at 405-488-2456 or visit the LifeShare website at http://www.lifeshareok.org/.

2015 is the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To learn more about ADA, visit adaanniversary.org/

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