CHENNAI: It’s been six years since the death of 15-year-old Hithendran. His parents, Dr Ashokan and Dr Pushpanjali were leading a simple life in Thirukazhukundram,
50 kms from Chennai, till the tragic accident took away their son. But this life did not go in vain, as after the young boy was declared brain dead on September 23, 2008 — ever single one of his organs were placed on a transplant list. “A year ago, we heard through a doctor that the recipient of our son’s liver gave birth to a baby,” his father Dr Ashokan tells us with a glimmer of a smile.
Still the dad goes on, “Every year, between September 20 and 23 our days become a living hell. We are only reminded of the incident.” However, this time around, the family has decided to write to the State government to observe September 23 as the day for organ donation awareness. According to Ashokan, their late son not only served his life’s purpose, but has also shown his parents a glimpse of theirs. “We want the government to launch an insurance scheme exclusively for transplant surgeries as it could benefit many poor people, who would otherwise not be able to afford the expensive surgery,” he explains.
Ever since their son passed away, the parents have been visiting schools and colleges to raise awareness on road safety rules and organ donation. “This is not just for children, we tell even their parents to wear helmets, seat belts and obey traffic rules,” Dr Ashokan emphasises.
“Before we start talking about organ donations, we first tell them about road rules.” The couple is also active on social networking sites raising awareness on the issue, and make it a point to counsel their patients and grieving family members of brain dead patients.
Sadly, while strangers are enriched around them, their own days at home continue to be mechanical, ever since their son’s demise. “We cook, eat, go to clinic and come back home,” says Dr Ashokan. In fact, he goes on to tell us that his wife is so affected by their loss that even a burglary at their home — resulting in a stolen Kalpana Chawla award plaque and over 12 sovereigns of gold — has not evoked any reaction from her.
What keeps this couple keep on keeping on, are the widespread ripples of their son’s contribution. “We still get calls from children and others, even in the middle of the night telling us that we are not alone,” states the proud dad. “That’s what keeps us going.”