Giving until the very end

@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
August 29, 2012 11:26pm CST
I know that this might seem to be a discussion that isn't in the right topic area, but I assure you it is because of the love that my friend Jamie had for others that he made the final decision in his life that he did choose to make. Jaime was a person that would help anyone that was in need, including the fact that he gave up spending time with his family on New Year's Day to help us with a plumbing problem that we were having at our home. Well, I found out that there will not be a funeral for him. The reason that there will not be a funeral for him is because of the fact that he decided prior to his death that he would be giving his body for science in hopes that they would be able to learn something about ALS that will help to find a cure for other people that deal with this awful disease. Have you ever known someone that was such a genuinely loving person that they would quite literally give their everything in order to help complete strangers?
3 people like this
11 responses
@else22 (4317)
• India
30 Aug 12
Your friend is really a loving guy.He has an inborn tendency or willingness to give himself for the good of others.Unfortunately I don't know any such fellow in person,but I have read about them.I have read about persons who had a tendency to give everything they had to others so that they might be happier.They were great selfless persons and we all know them.But there are many among us common men who are not famous,but have the same greatness.Their names do not appear among the names of great persons,but they are great in true sense of the term.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
I actually think that the people that are never recognized as being a hero are the individuals that are the greatest heroes of all. They don't do the things that they do so that they will be famous, they simply do the things that they do because of their genuine love for other people.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
1 Sep 12
You are right and people that are truely great people are never those that are doing it for the fame or fortune, they are doing it because as you said, it is simply a part of who they are.
@else22 (4317)
• India
31 Aug 12
Right.Fame and greatness has nothing to do anything with each other.A non descript common person just the next door may be as great as the greatest person of the world.Greatness is an inborn trait of such persons.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
30 Aug 12
You very lucky to have known him cause now a days it's hard to find a true friend. I have 1 good friend that when ever I need her help she tries her best to be there for me. My boyfriend is also a very caring and giving person, sometimes he gives too much and leaves us in a bind but you gotta love him for that
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
I'm lucky that I do have several true friends in my life. In many situations, it feels like I am the one that is doing a lot of giving, but I know that if I were in need, my friends would come to my aid.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
31 Aug 12
There are still some good people out there, amazing
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
1 Sep 12
Of course there are still good people out here, but unfortunately, they are few and far between.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
30 Aug 12
I think your friend was a very special person. Is there going to be a memorial service? The fact that he has given his body to science should not preclude a service to celebrate his life, just a big party or even a little party where those who knew him can express the value of this good person.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
Yes, his wife is going to be having a memorial service for him in a little bit over a week. I know that it is going to be a beautiful service because of the fact that he was such a special man.
@audrey7 (232)
• Jamaica
30 Aug 12
Dorannwin, this is what I call pure kindness. I have thought of giving my body for science experimentation but my mother is against this, plus my husband thinks that I would be too old. But this is a great adventure. How will we know the answers if we do not do research. There is a lot to say but my time is limited. I am glad that his family honored his wishes!!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
I'm glad that his family honored his wishes as well. I used to say that I would donate my body to science, but then I learned of what happens in many cases when a person donates their body to science, and the thought of that is something that I wouldn't want to go through. However, I would do it if I was to succome to a disease for which there is no cure.
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
30 Aug 12
Wow, that is very remarkable. He was a givng person until the end. I hope that all of you whom he left would find comfort in his passing. I hope that his donating his body will not be in vain and that they will have a good understanding of the disease that got him. May he rest in peace.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
I do hope that there will come a day that people that suffer from this terrible disease will eventually be able to have hope. This final gesture that Jamie made is just one way that people that never knew him can see what a very special person that he was.
• India
30 Aug 12
It is something really appreciable and we should respect this kind and nice gesture of this wonderful person. Not many people are born with such sacrificing nature. We all feel good in providing help to others but real test comes when choice is in between other person and you yourself. I do not have anyone that very close to me with such features but I do come to know of such admirable people from other people.
1 person likes this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
30 Aug 12
Jaime sounds like someone that we all could take a lesson from regarding giving back to others what you can.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
Not only was he a person that you could learn about giving back to others from, he was also a person that you could learn a lot about being a friend from. He really was a special person.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
31 Aug 12
My grandmother did that.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
1 Sep 12
Your grandmother was definitely one of those truly amazing people that lived on this earth. Bless her for being who she was.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
30 Aug 12
What a wonderful friend and what a wonderful human being he was! You are so privileged to have had someone in your life like him even if it was not for a long time. I know a lot about ALS as one of my best friends has had it for over 14 years muvh t the amazement of the medical fraternity in the USA. At present she can only move her eye lids to operate a machine that not only speaks for her but allows her to bling and send emails. She is now doing this very quickly. I adore her and visit her when she comes to the Island - which she does about every five or six months. She researched the disease and actually for a few years she did imrove as she became not only a vegetarian but only ate raw food. She did progress from a wheel chair to using a walker and was able to use the bathroom etc. for a few years. Her children were 3 and 5 when she was diagnosed. and she so wanted to live until they finished high scholl and this has been achieved. I do hope that the family will have a memorial service for Jamie in honour of his life. Do I know someone who would donate their body? Yes, my wonderful sister, who has just been diagnosed with cancer of the lung, brain, and spine. We have every hopes for her recovery and she has just started treatment today but in her Will, after a service when her body wuld be blessed then it will be given to science. Ultimately, it is the final gift of loving mankind. Many blessings
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
31 Aug 12
Thank you so very much for the prayers
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
It is amazing that your friend has been able to see her children get through high school and it is great that technological advances have made it possible for her to still be able to communicate when in the past a person that was in her situation would have had absolutely no quality to their lives. I hope that your sister is able to reach a remission with the cancer that she is having to go through. I will keep her in my prayers.
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
2 Sep 12
He is a great person I don't know anyone in person who had done same thing like he did. I've known many good people but haven't met in person someone who submitted himself/herself for such act. You friend deserves an honor
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
4 Sep 12
The fact that all of his loved ones have fond memories of him is a great honor. In addition to that, I really do believe that there is a special place in heaven for people that are as truly giving as Jaime was.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
30 Aug 12
I think more people should think the way he did. That instead of our bodies decaying underground, it should be put to good use, and maybe help others. I hope that his example could enlighten a lot more people to do the same. And maybe pro-long the life of another human being. I watched Chelsea Lately last night, and she did say that she's an organ donor. That she wanted to donate some of her organs when she passes. Sadly, I don't personally know anybody who think the same.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
You don't know me personally, but I am one of those people that desires to donate my organs to individuals that are in need of organ donations if there are any organs in my body that can be used for another person in increasing the quality of their lives.