My mom was pretty upset when she found out that I donated my organs to the hospital in case I died. It’s weird that after 10 years I have made the vow to the hospital, she just found out about it when she was cleaning my drawer and saw my donation card.

She was upset that I did not consult her before I made a decision. There are several reasons making her upset. Firstly, in Chinese family like mine, talking about donating organs when I am still alive is like cursing myself to death. I told her if that was the case, I would have died long time ago. Secondly, she was afraid that in my next life, I would be born disable like blind or having some organs missing. I told her I did believe in the reincarnation but I did not think that my physical body in this life would be carried to the next life. Only energy or ‘soul’ would be the only thing that would pass along. Thirdly, she was afraid that if I died, there would be no body for my family members to hold a funeral. I told her I did donate any organs that would be useful to anyone but the rest of all I would let my family have it.

This reaction was exactly the same as my sister’s when I first told her.

A chance of having my organs distributed is not much. There are several conditions the donors have to meet. For example, the body has to be delivered to the hospitals within certain time before all the organs cannot be recovered. Plus, the donors have to die with no serious health problems. In other words, the donors’ body would be ruled out if they die of cancers, diabetes, AIDS, and etc.

Firstly, I donated my eyes. Then a year later, I donated any organs that would be useful to anyone who were in need. I remember when I first did donation, I felt so liberated. In Buddhism, life is temporary. It’s like a phenomenon that happens like a flash of light then transforms or reincarnates to other forms. It is a never-ending cycle so it is a fool to attach to this temporary body.

I will be very happy if my body helps other people to live longer. It’s like I pass on my fading candle to light other people’s candles. At least, I don’t waste my life in this world. I always imagine if my organs help a head of the family who have children or parent depending on him/her living longer, that would not only help one person, in fact, it would help the whole family. That is only one organ. If ten different organs help ten different people, I don’t just save ten lives. But I would save ten lives plus their love ones who might be depending on them. Then, if their children become the good people in the society and help other people. That would be like a ripple effect that start from the donor, pass on to the receivers and so on.

At the end, my mom said I was mature enough to make my own decision. Even though she did not like it at all but she was very proud of me. I am very proud of her as well.

I did not tell her I do donate my organs here in New York City as well. Considering she is in Thailand, I don’t want her to have an after-shock effect.

Tae Athikomvittaya