The U.S. Transplant Games--Part 1

“Let the games begin!”

Even before those words are spoken at the Opening Ceremony, I know I’m where I belong.

In 1990, the very first U.S. Transplant Games were held in Indianapolis, Indiana where just a few hundred organ recipients gathered together for one common goal: to show that transplantation does work.  The games are a place where transplant recipients of different ages, transplants, and corners of the nation gather to compete in a variety of Olympic-style sporting events.  It doesn’t matter if you received your transplant 20 + years ago or are a new member of the club—we’re all in this together. 

After the inaugural games, word spread throughout various transplant centers and the core group of athletes about this new event; a place where organ recipients could come together and meet like-minded (or organed ;-)) recipients.  For the first time, you’re surrounded by others who’ve had the exact same transplant as you (a rarity for me), received it the same year or their transplant was done on the exact same day as yours!  It’s a great feeling when you meet someone and find out they were either transplanted on June 14^th just like you or also received a heart/double lung transplant.  You discover that you aren’t alone in this world!
   

This bi-annual event has grown to include donor families, living donors, medical professionals, and “supporters” or family members/friends of recipients or donor families.  It’s a way for donor families to see that while their initial decision to donate a loved ones organs might’ve been painful; their choice gave people like me a chance to improve their quality of life.  It's because of them that my friends and I are still here. Sometimes, these games have given donor family and recipient the opportunity to meet. For living donors, it is a chance for them to be honored for their good deed.  They are a special group of ordinary people who have done extraordinary things!   

Those who work in the medical field are reminded why they do what they do.  Though they may have one recipient whose transplant is not successful, they see countless others who are still thriving.  

My introduction to the National Kidney Foundation’s U.S. Transplant Games happened not even two months post-transplant.  It was the summer of 1996 and while my parents (along with others) were in a meeting with a psychologist, four of us (Erik, Amanda, Blair and I) were with the social worker putting together our own Q & A “newsletter” that was to be printed and placed on the waiting room tables for those who were either pre or post lung transplant.  The very last page of the newsletter had an advertisement for the (then) upcoming 1996 U.S. Transplant Games which were to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah.   While I did take a glance and skimmed over the information about this event, I honestly didn’t care; I was too excited at reading my answers in the newsletter.  (I now cringe with embarrassment.) 

How was I to know that this advertisement was going to change my life?  BTW, the answer to the question about Dwayne?  He smiled MANY times throughout the day!  :-)

As soon as I moved back to Tampa in September of 1996, I lost touch with some of the friends I made during my time in St. Louis.  In the year 2000, I decided to attempt contact with The Katie’s.  I immediately heard from Katie K. and found out she had JUST been in my state!  Why?  To compete in the 2000 U.S. Transplant Games which were held in Orlando!  Damn!  Not only did I miss a chance at seeing my friend, but the opportunity to experience my first games had slipped thru my fingers. 

Between the 2000 and 2002 games, I started to learn what they were all about.  I found out that the 2002 games would (again) be held in Orlando.  If I wanted to compete, I’d be in the 18-29 age group.  I learned that the team you were on was based on where you lived, not where you received your transplant. I found out that you didn’t have to be in top physical condition; as long as your transplant doctor signs your medical waiver, you were good to go! 

While at a lung gathering in Tampa, I learned that my friend, Janet, would be attending (and competing in) the games and asked me if I’d like to go with her and her family.  I said yes but was still apprehensive; would I like it? Would the people like me?  Would I like them?  What event could I do?

The 2002 U.S. Transplant Games were held June 25-29 at the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sports.  I tagged along with Janet and her family (husband Mike and daughter Meredith) as a spectator.  I didn’t want to jump head first and compete just in case I ended up not liking the games.  Little did I know how wrong I’d be. 

While my friend was busy checking-in and all of that, I observed my surroundings.  I wish I could tell you I remember everything in detail but alas, my first games were a bit of a blur.  I brought a cheap disposable camera but didn’t take many pictures.  I was still able to attend the Team Florida welcoming party (though since I wasn’t a competitor, I wasn’t able to brag about the fact that I was then-six years post heart/double lung transplant) and purchase a team t-shirt (a cartoon-ish looking “sunshine”). 

I then went with Mike and Meredith to sit in the bleachers to watch the Opening Ceremony.  I silently kicked myself for not registering as an athlete and thinking, I wish our seats were better!  During the ceremony, the Phil Collins song Two Worlds from the animated film, Tarzan was performed.  At the time I thought, Oh my God!  I never thought about it like that before! It was truly the first time that I’d ever thought of the transplant process from a donor family’s perspective.  I was overcome with guilt for not having realized it before.   Of course, I cheered extra loud for Team Florida but for the most part, I observed my surroundings. 

I noticed a lot of people (both athletes and supporters) were wearing pins from the various teams.  I soon figured out that “pin trading” was created so that recipients can trade their own with others and (in addition) make a new friend and meet someone from another state.  It is a great way to break the ice.  I could walk up to a total stranger from another team and say “Do you have Team Florida yet? Well, here you go!”  Pin trading is so popular that a separate event should be created just for the exchange—people are that into it!   While I didn’t have any Team Florida pins with me but I did have some generic green ribbon pins back in Tampa.  Hmmm…..

Some of my pins from my very first Transplant Games.  Yes, that is Team Florida's pin! 

After the ceremony, we all met up together and Janet wanted me to attend something called a Lung Gathering that was created by Joanne Schum from Team Upstate New York.  Sadly, since it was so late in the day, Janet and I had to get back to Tampa before the Lung Gathering began.  Janet wasn’t doing her bowling event until the day after the next but by that time, I knew what to do to interact with my fellow recipients.

I got to the bowling alley wearing my Team Florida shirt with my organ donation green ribbon pins in my purse.  At first glance, people would say to me, “Oh, I’m sorry.  I already have Team Florida…” but then I’d immediately show them the pins I had and they would give me a second look.  While Janet was preparing for her turn to bowl, I was socializing and learning the Ins and Outs of pin trading and the games in general.  I learned that Team Hawaii is a hard pin to get because the team is usually small, Team Philadelphia is always HUGE, and the host team usually has a large group as well (hence why people would initially shy away from me when I’d try to trade pins).  I also found out that you truly don't have to be an "athlete" to compete; you're already a winner just by being the games.  I learned that in order to keep in touch with your new friends, it would be wise to create some sort of business card with your info (name, team, type of transplant, etc.) to hand out.  Business cards another great ice-breaker.

Some more of my pins from the 2002 Transplant Games and no, they aren't yellow from the flash; they really HAVE aged!  :-)

Later that evening, I was walking across a large parking lot to attend a social gathering when a car suddenly pulled up beside me. The couple inside explained that they were in the Transplant Games and asked where the gathering would take place.  I pointed in the direction I was going and they offered me a ride. Once I got in their car, I learned that they were from Team Northern California and their names were Ana and Rob. I discovered that Ana had received a double-lung transplant on....wait for it....June 14th!  My jaw dropped!  I'd never known anyone who'd also received their transplant on that day!  While my transplant happened in 1996, hers was in 2000 and when she and Rob found out what type of transplant I received, they were in shock and congratulated me on my success.  I blushed and modestly accepting their compliments.

During those first few years post-transplant, I tried to either hide the transplant recpient in me and pretend I was your typical 90s teenager or I'd talk all transplant at the most awkward and weird times.  While at the games, I realized I didn't have to hide the fact that I'd received a transplant and I could still showcase the "none-transplant" side of my personality as well.   I'd found my people.  Now all I needed to do was find a way to raise the money for the 2004 U.S. Transplant Games, find out where those games would take place, and what sporting event I wanted to compete in....

P.S.  I hope to have Part 2 published by this weekend.