Spring Break - A different perspective.

The Storch Family
L-R Ryan, Tara, Peyton, Todd and Taylor
Sunday March 14, 2010

Family

Our families come in all shapes and sizes, and as we know, varying degrees of "happy".  With Spring Break coming to a close,  I'm sure many of us are just as happy to come back to the grind, the office, school, and a "break" from all of that togetherness.  

The picture above could be any family, on a skiing trip - smiling for the camera as requested, and turning immediately after to bicker or complain about the cold, or who punched who on the car ride home, or who gets to ride with whom on the chairlift.  

I want you to look very closely at this picture above.  Imagine you are seeing it and have to describe what is happening.  Small little things start to stand out to me when I see it.  Young Ryan on the left has his head raised ever so slightly as if he is really proud to be there with his family and perhaps is feeling pretty confident on the hills and about his expertise.   Peyton has that sweet innocent smile that shows that she cannot quite contain her excitement about heading up the hill in order to be able to schuss down it (again?  or for the first time?  - we do not know from this picture if they have already been up although everyone is looking quite lovely and dare I say, even coiffed!).  Todd and Tara are the proud parents, and Todd with his arm over Taylor's shoulder is showing how proud he is of his family.  Taylor has that beautiful confidence that shows through her smile, and is leaning in towards the family.  I don't know about you, but I do see true love in each and every smile in this picture.  

Joy

The family was on the trip of a lifetime at Beaver Creek Mountain in Colorado.  This was the first day of their family Spring Break vacation in 2010.  The family was having a blast.  They were happy.  

The last run of the day belonged to Todd, Ryan and Taylor as Tara and Peyton were pooped and went for a hot chocolate at the lodge.  Taylor had learned to ski that day, and being an athletic and coordinated girl, was a "natural", said her ski instructor.  

That final run was, for this family, the moment when everything changed.  

Taylor lost control on her skis.

Taylor hit a tree head on.  She was wearing a helmet.  

The next day, Taylor was declared brain dead.  

"Would you be willing to donate Taylor's organs?"

The response from both Tara and Todd was the same.  "Absolutely! It's what Taylor would want".

Kidneys, Pancreas, Liver, Heart and corneas.  

Life.  To 5 different people this decision meant life.  

Taylor - pensive

In death, Taylor Storch was a hero.  In life, she was a generous, loving, and Christ centred soul.  

In a poem, written the year before she died, she describes herself as "outgoing and friendly" and specifically that she tried "to make every day like her last".  As we read her words we cannot help but imagine this 13 year old girl, full of life and look at our own children on their Spring Break.  Did they fight?  Was every moment pure bliss?  Did they hug you every chance they got?  Did they tell you that they loved you?  Did YOU tell them that you loved them?  

Was each day like your last?  

WAS EACH DAY LIKE YOUR LAST?

I saw Todd Storch's post today on Facebook where he shared the family image above.  This image speaks to me.  I see this family, and the intense smiles on every person and my eyes are drawn to Taylor's.  Those stunning Taylor Blue eyes.  Those eyes that look into that soul that did not know.  It did not know that it was ready to share this "last day" with 5 other souls and give them life.  Taylor did not know, her family did not know, but the Storch family honoured Taylor's wish in their grief.  

If you would like to learn more about Taylor's story, please consider reading Taylor's Gift which can be ordered through your local bookstore.  

1 year checkup, 1 lifetime away

Keith 2.0

Last time I wrote here, there was a new ring, a pending wedding, and Keith on a continued positive health trajectory.  

The wedding was a huge success, and we were able to celebrate with our families and friends in a way that would not have been possible without the gift that Keith had received earlier last year.  

THE PLANE!!! THE PLANE!!!

I think this could actually work....

It was a chilly day in October, but the sun was shining, our family and guests were treated like kings and queens, and Keith and I could not have been happier.  

Let's get the mechanics out of the way:

Keith's 1 year numbers were great.  PFT (Pulmonary Function Testing) was 89% (compared to his 8% pre-transplant, and the average healthy person of 80-90%).  He did his 6 minute walk and walked 718 metres, and all other standard blood workups were good.
There was some concern about kidney function as his creatinine levels were up, but they have levelled off and are at a completely safe level now and the nephrologist has no concerns.  We will keep an eye on the kidney function over the next year just to make sure that it is working as it should.

Essentially, all this means that these amazing incredible lungs, are working beautifully in Keith's body.  The medications that he takes to keep his body from rejecting the lungs, are working well to keep it all happy.  Here is a link to the post that I put on Facebook on the day of his "lungiversary".  If you haven't found the page and liked it, please do.  It's a great way to connect with us.

Ruth Vibe, Sarah Taylor, Keith Childerhose

On the evening of January 29, 2014, we had the honour and privilege to have dinner at the home of Ruth Vibe, the widow of John Vibe who was Keith's donor.   It is very rare in Canada to connect with your donor family from a deceased donor, but we have been so blessed by this friendship and connection.  Getting to know the family of the man who is Keith's hero has been incredible.  CBC did an excellent job sharing the story.  See video here.

Our local paper, The Oakville Beaver, continues to print excellent coverage of Keith's story.  Here are links to their recent article and video.

Thank you all, for your incredible outpouring of support and positivity over the past year and a half.  Keith is forever grateful to his donor, and to all of you for all of your kindnesses and practical help.  

This year, for a new years resolution, I resolved to share the need for organ donors with a stranger at least once a week.  Share with everyone how Organ Donation saves lives, how they can be a hero also if they register at beadonor.ca, and share their wishes with their loved ones.  Tell your loved one that it is important to YOU.

John Vibe - Forever in our hearts, and always a hero