My 14-year-old daughter Jade, reminded me the other day that I had made her a promise when I laid in the hospital for almost 4 months totally unable to move. She was 11 at the time and I finally was able to speak mid-March. My transplant was on February 21st (my birthday.)
Once I was able to speak, I started to feel that she was more relaxed and we began our new mother/daughter relationship. Her comment to me was, “Oh mommy, you will be up and dancing around this room before you know it! Those doctors don’t know who they’re dealing with.” That’s when she said to me, “I bet now you can be on “Dancing With The Stars” because you are famous in all the medical books and you are my star.”
She and I laughed about it, but in the back of mind, that was my goal. To somehow get on “Dancing With The Stars” and win the trophy for every organ donor who gave the gift of life to every transplant recipient. It’s been almost two and a half years since I started this new path that I am on and not a day goes by that Jade and I both don’t look at each other and are so grateful to be together.
I have worked so hard to be able to move again, to walk and talk and dance again. No one thought I would recover to the extent I have. I was a professional jazz dancer in the 70’s and 80’s and I am putting our dream out into the universe. I want to dance on “Dancing With The Stars” as an advocate for Donate Life. My book “Heartless” will be out mid-August, as will my non-profit, Ava’s Heart (which will help transplant patients with the financial burden of medication and housing.)
So all of you out there, if you believe I can pull off another miracle, just say a tiny prayer or even a thought for me. However, this will be the first of many miracles I have planned. Thank you so very much. From my new heart to yours.
