Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Meet the people beginning a new life in 2014 thanks to organ transplants

2013 was a record year for organ transplants in Ireland – here are the stories of two people who have a new lease of life in 2014 thanks to the generosity of others.

THE BEGINNING OF a new year is a time for us all to reflect on the twelve months just passed, and tho ones that lie before us, full of potential and excitement.

For some families, 2014 is a year they have waited on for a long, long time. It is their loved one’s first new year after an organ transplant, a year where their life will forever be changed.

2013 has been a record year for organ transplants in Ireland, with 293 organs transplanted compared to the previous record of 275 in 2011.

image

Shane O’Connell and wife Tricia

Almost exactly a year to the day that he first went into hospital, Shane O’Connell was able to get home to see his family this Christmas just gone.

The Kerry native and father of three received a heart transplant in mid-November, after being diagnosed with Dilated Cardio Myopathy some 22 years earlier when he was 11.

It was the end of many years of living in limbo for the O’Connell family, and having Shane sitting at the dinner table on Christmas Day was a very special moment.

Recovery

But what his story demonstrates is that receiving the transplant is not the end of the trips to hospital, the medical issues and struggles. Currently, Shane is back in hospital, receiving treatment for pneumonia.

The anti-rejection drugs he is taking to ensure his new heart functions have reduced his immune system, and it will be many months before he is approaching full health.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, his wife Tricia said that Christmas went well, but “it takes a good six to 12 months after a heart or lung transplant for everything to settle down”.

“There is a lot involved, but it is well worth it,” said Tricia. “It was such major surgery.”

She continued:

We are so thankful that he did get his transplant, and it’s very important to keep trying to get the message out there. It’s fantastic that Shane has gotten his transplant, but there is still an awful lot of people waiting on transplant.

As they welcome the new year, the O’Connell family reflect on the generosity of Shane’s donor and that person’s family, who are in their thoughts.

They are thankful, too, for the Irish Kidney Association, its Kerry branch, and the Renal Centre in Beaumont, who helped them through the past number of years.

This year is the first year of the rest of Shane’s new life.

image

Stephen Smith and wife Rachel

Another person whose life was transformed for 2014 thanks to an organ transplant is Stephen Smith (35) from Castletara, who received a double lung transplant recently.

After eight calls for transplants that did not end up happening, he described it as “better than winning any lottery” to have his life back.

He was diagnosed with a condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a genetic condition commonly referred to as genetic emphysema. One in 25 Irish people are carriers for Alpha-1.

The diagnosis completely changed the sporty Cavan man’s life, and he had to give up work, sport and going out socially for fear of infection.

Now he is in recovery after having his transplant, sand says that organ donation “is without a doubt the greatest gift you could give another person”.

It’s just unreal to be able to do simple things in life again.

As a taxi driver, he used to drive people to dialysis sessions, so knew the impact of organ donation on others. “Little did I know that two or three years later I would need it,” he reflected.

It will be another month or two before he realises the major changes, he said, and for now he is making sure to keep fit and healthy as his body adjusts to the new lungs.

“Your body has to heal; you have to adjust to everything again without machines.”

He thanks his wife Rachel, and his family, friends and colleagues, for getting him through the difficult times. Of course, his donor and their family are always on his mind too.

His late aunt was an organ donor. “Without brave people like her, people like me and others will not get the life-saving gifts we so desperately need,” said Smith.

For organ donor cards, Freetext DONOR to 50050 or visit the Irish Kidney Association website. Smart phone users can download the Organ Donor E-card app from the App store or Android Play Store.

Read: Family’s joy as heart transplant dad could be home for Christmas>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
19 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute justanothertaxpayer
    Favourite justanothertaxpayer
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:27 PM

    So he got sick and she moved in 6 or 7 weeks ago? How did she afford the private rental house for the last 5 years?

    Having said that, allowing her to stay until the end of Jan would hardly seem excessive, although there is probably some family that are entitled to the house waiting for years and hoping to have a place for Christmas.

    240
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:45 PM

    Where did you get the 6/7 weeks & 5 years figures?
    Agree that leaving them in the house until the end of January does not seem excessive, would really seem to be fair on the children who are grieving for their father

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute justanothertaxpayer
    Favourite justanothertaxpayer
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:21 PM

    read the original article in the Wexford Echo – link included above

    50
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:28 PM

    Read it there, cheers

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Cavey
    Favourite Peter Cavey
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:16 PM

    Awful story but (and I’m ashamed to say) I’m becoming a little numb to these tragic stories as they are now a daily headline.

    196
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mas Oyam
    Favourite Mas Oyam
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:22 PM

    Where did she live before she moved in. She should have thought about her children before she left her own house.

    185
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:40 PM

    She moved in with the children’s father to care for him during an illness. They must of got to see more of their Dad before his death, I think that would of been the most important thing for them.

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dara McGann
    Favourite Dara McGann
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:46 PM
    23
    See 12 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:02 PM

    Thanks Dara, I’ll try remember that next time

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna Moss
    Favourite Donna Moss
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:13 PM

    Why wasn’t she living with him all the time? before his illness? I’m sure it’s not as it seems tbh.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:22 PM

    That’s really none of anyone’s business Donna.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beano
    Favourite Beano
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:25 PM

    None of these stories are what they seem

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:26 PM

    They split up years ago and only moved in at the end of September

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:27 PM

    Donna, the story from the Wexford Echo says they were married but separated with 5 years.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:29 PM

    Alan , she went public about it herself so there’s bound to be questions asked .

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:52 PM

    Indeed there will be Suzie but why someone isn’t living with their children’s father isn’t relevant to the story. They were separated, beyond that is personal between partners and no one else’s business. Just because she went public doesn’t mean her life should be dissected.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vocal Outrage
    Favourite Vocal Outrage
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 5:49 PM

    Alan, it is relevant when she is looking for her estranged partners house. This just stinks of her trying to jump the housing list at the cost of someone else on the list who has probably been waiting the 10 years she is refusing too and now playing the sympathy card

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 6:09 PM

    You may need to read the piece again vocal. She’s not looking for the house. She has, in fact, said its not suitable for the family long term. All she’s looking for is a bit more time to sort out a new place to live and let her children grieve for a reasonable length of time. A couple of months shouldn’t make that much of a difference.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 6:12 PM

    Also, the reason for a couple not being together has nothing to do with the housing list and is a personal issue and should be left as such.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Mcdermott
    Favourite Derek Mcdermott
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 6:58 PM

    You’re a quite heartless individual vocal……I really think some commentators here should be cast into the sea …how do some people become so hard faced

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donna Moss
    Favourite Donna Moss
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 2:22 PM

    She is not entitled to keep the house and I know that’s harsh but the family at the top if the waiting list could be in more need of this home.

    154
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Nov 12th 2015, 10:50 AM

    Read the article. She’s not asking to keep the house. She makes it very clear that she’s just asking to stay in in for a couple more months while she and her children get over a the loss.

    Bereavement and moving house are two of the most stressful things you can go through, surely it’s not too much to ask that they not have both at the same time?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alwaysrightokay
    Favourite alwaysrightokay
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:16 PM

    Who in the name of Jesus takes a picture at a loved ones grave?

    140
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Norris
    Favourite Darren Norris
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:22 PM

    Agreed, creepy looking smiles. Is that for this story or this a normal thing to do now?

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beano
    Favourite Beano
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:27 PM

    Picture added for added sympathy

    73
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:30 PM

    Seems to be. Was on Facebook a few days ago and seen a pic that was taken with a corpse at the wake – really, really creepy looking

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eileen O Callaghan
    Favourite Eileen O Callaghan
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 4:06 PM

    Thank god someone said it, I get creeped out quite regularly on a daily basis from people posing for photos at a grave

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren
    Favourite Darren
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 4:49 PM

    People under the influence of Guinness farts perhaps?

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Nov 12th 2015, 10:46 AM

    The media does it all the time, they also film entire funerals and burials and put them on TV.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patlyndo
    Favourite Patlyndo
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:22 PM

    From the report she moved in to help with his illness – not because she knew he was dying, the house isn’t suitable for the family, their relationship seems to have not been conventional as in she lived elsewhere, maybe in private accommodation.

    All she is looking for is some time, up until the end of January until she can save and move on – she will continue to pay the rent which is fair enough.

    Have to say that some people have a cold and bitter outlook on the world.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall O' Sullivan
    Favourite Niall O' Sullivan
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:45 PM

    They see the words “council house”and it’s open season.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Murphy
    Favourite Mary Murphy
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:38 PM

    Wants to work all of a sudden??? Moved into council house when she knew her partner was going to die. YeaHHHHH. Does she take us all to be fools?

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Suzie Sunshine
    Favourite Suzie Sunshine
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:46 PM

    Mary , there is people who will be fooled by this .

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:54 PM

    All of a sudden? Where’s that from? She’s got 1 lung and her surgeon says she’s not fit to work. She’ll hardly be able to do much if she needs oxygen regularly.

    38
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 8:06 PM

    *Correction – occasionally, not regularly

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maggie
    Favourite Maggie
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:36 PM

    Save for a deposit and buy a house like eveyone else or just dont have kids.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ray Farrelly
    Favourite Ray Farrelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 4:23 PM

    Maggie not everyone want’s to own a house

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maggie
    Favourite Maggie
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 10:15 PM

    Yes they want everything free instead!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Mcdermott
    Favourite Derek Mcdermott
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 7:04 PM

    Some of the posters on this thread make me ashamed to be part of the human race…..this woman buried her children’s father 6 weeks ago….she has a serious life threatening illness…2 children could possibly be orphans any day …some posters here should be completely ashamed of themselves

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 7:47 PM

    Agreed Derek. It’s 2 kids who’ve just lost their father here. Letting them stay (in what they probably see as dads house) until after Christmas isn’t really asking too much. The mother is only asking for some time.
    Pure heartless decision, lacking any common sense or human decency – like many posters here. Like you, this right here is the reason I don’t like people.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Derek Mcdermott
    Favourite Derek Mcdermott
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 7:54 PM

    I don’t understand what could be so wrong in some people’s lives that they have to abuse a fragile woman and 2 small children who have lost their father and now they will lose their home ..shame on anybody who supports this decision ..

    11
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Kelly
    Favourite Alan Kelly
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 8:09 PM

    F**kheads Derek. It’s not their lives, it’s them.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kal Ipers
    Favourite Kal Ipers
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:02 PM

    If she knew he was dying she should have married him to avoid all of this.
    They were both parents and should have looked after the children.
    Tough situation but anybody with a bit of common sense would be looking out for the best option going forward not just ignoring it.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute justanothertaxpayer
    Favourite justanothertaxpayer
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 3:22 PM

    they were married – separated 5 years ago according to the Wexford Echo story

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline Mangan-Reid
    Favourite Caroline Mangan-Reid
    Report
    Nov 11th 2015, 6:45 PM

    I heard her on the radio this morning but only got the tail ended of it. She moved in with him due to him being sick but also because the rent in her own place went up and the rent allowance went down so she could no longer afford it. Think the plan was to help out while he was sick and save towards a deposit for a new place. All she is asking for is to be allowed to stay till Janurary so her kids can grief for their father properly over christmas which is going to be hard for them and also to give her time to save.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Nov 12th 2015, 10:52 AM

    I suppose we can take some comfort in the fact that people here are being almost as unkind to this family as they warw towards the bereaved travellers a couple of weeks ago. Equality at last!

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds