Linda Isaacs
I remember the day that my mother told me that she wanted to be an eye donor. I was about 13, we were at a craft fair, and there was an informational booth set up on becoming an eye donor. Mom gathered some of the pamphlets and filled out an information card. When we made eye contact, she could see that I was crying. The thought of losing my mom terrified me and the idea of donating her eyes freaked me out. But mom explained to me that if there was anyway she could help someone by donating her organs and eyes she wanted to do that. Mom was the type of person who saw the good in everyone and loved helping people. She worked as a speech pathologist, helping children learn to read and express themselves.
Thirteen years after that day at the craft fair, my mother passed away. When we received the call from the North Carolina Eye Bank requesting permission to use my mom as a donor, I was reminded of that talk with my mom and was able to say with confidence that mom wanted to be a donor. I am so thankful that mom discussed her wishes with me and I am grateful that the technology exists to use eye donations to help others. My brother, sister, and I will cherish our memories of our mom and we are proud to say that she was able to give such a gift.
