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Post by Caitie! on Oct 4, 2012 12:17:06 GMT -5
Hai guys. I want to share a story with you because what happened yesterday hit me hard and you guys are my family <3
Today I'm wearing green for a boy named Elliot. Elliot was a boy in my home town who was 8 years younger than I am. I met Elliot three years ago when he came to 4-H camp for the very first time at 13. It was a big deal to come to camp for Elliot and for us as camp staff because Elliot was deaf. He spoke some but didn't like to and his translator came but she wasn't always around. I, having a fasination with ASL (American Sign Language), loved to watch Elliot and his translator talk back and forth. And I will admit that I was constantly trying to make sure Elliot was having fun at camp.
He taught some signs, both good and bad. My favorite that he taught me was friend. I'd sit and talk with him if he said he didn't want to do the activity that session. I didn't always get his jokes right away and he sometimes would have to explain them. Sometimes he'd make faces at me when the counselors were explaining what craft they were making, where they were going, or what game they were playing. Elliot was funny and he knew it.
He got along alright at camp, just like he had all his life. He ran around with the boys and flirted with girls. I often caught him pointing out to the boy counselors which girls he thought were pretty. I've seen him around since that year at camp. He'd always give me a big smile and a wave and maybe throw some signs my way.
Elliot got along with everyone he met. People loved his smile and just loved him. And he loved life completely and lived it fully when he had every reason to be bitter. Thats what made him special.
Elliot went through a lot of battles starting almost from birth. Shortly after birth, he had a liver transplant. It saved his life. Without it, I would not have met him. Without it, my town would have never have known such a strong boy. Time and time again Elliot went through battles with his health and battles to stay alive. And each time he pulled through. Never once did he complain. Never once did he cry.
He fought his last battle yesterday at the age of 16. It was sudden and the news it me hard. An infection spread through his body like wildfire and eventually shut down his heart. Its hard to realize I'll never see that smile or those funny faces ever again. It hit my whole community hard. Like I said Elliot loved everyone and impacted them in some way. And I wish I could be home with them as we all go through this.
But today I'm wearing green in honor of Elliot and the transplant that gave him the chance to live. It gave him 16 years to show us how we should live.
And I want to encourage you all to at least consider organ donation. I know it seems weird to give what yours away like that but it could mean absolutely everything to someone. It could change someone's life. Elliot's transplant changed my whole town.
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Post by Spooky! on Oct 4, 2012 19:07:05 GMT -5
<3 [/color][/center] Already an organ donor, babe. So are many of my comrades. Whether we're killed in action or of old age, they get everything. For kids like Elliot.
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Post by Carrie! on Oct 5, 2012 0:34:53 GMT -5
Been one since I could legally be one. I wan to be able to help save lives with the loss of mine if possible.
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