Communicating About Donation and Transplantation
Suggestions To Help You and Your Family Members Have a Meaningful Family Discussion About Organ and Tissue Donation.
Having a meaningful discussion with your family is the best way that you can ensure that your wishes about organ and tissue donation will be carried out. Your next of kin may be asked to give consent for donation if you should become a potential donor.
You can help them prepare for this decision should they be faced with it at a later time. If they know what you would want regarding donation and they have had the chance to talk it over with you they will have the comfort of knowing they are making the right decision. Many people have a difficult time bringing up this topic.
It is not always easy to talk about things related to death. Also, many people do not know all the facts about donation and they have misconceptions or beliefs that are not true. When you are preparing to have a discussion with your family about your wishes keep the following things in mind.
Know your facts:
Take time to read about donation and learn as much as you can. If you can answer the questions your family may have you will be able to help them overcome their fears or concerns. If you are very knowledgeable about the subject they will feel confident that you made a well informed decision about your wish to donate.
Its about "Life" so emphasize the positive:
Sometimes the first words you say set the tone for the rest of the conversation. Many people make the mistake of beginning their discussion with a statement like "when I die….". Sometimes this makes their family members sad or fearful. They may not be able to focus on anything else you say or they may even refuse to talk about donation at all. Try to start off on a positive note and talk about all the lives that are saved through transplantation when people agree to donate their organs.
Timing is everything:
Since this is a serious topic it may take some time to discuss it. Let your family know what you would like to talk about and ask them when it might be a good time have this discussion. Choose the "right time". Don't attempt to discuss it when there are other conflicts or major events which will prevent everyone from giving you their full attention. Also…don't "rush it"! Make sure you have enough time to explain things to them and to share you feelings as well as listen to theirs.
Be prepared:
Don't expect everyone to understand everything you say or to agree with you. It may take some time. Also be prepared for other reactions. Some family members may become emotional. Be considerate of their feelings. Other family members may not take you seriously and make jokes about what you are trying to say. Be patient and be persistent. Don't lose your cool. Continue to calmly make your point. If you aren't successful ask them if they would think about what you said and set up another time to talk.
Listen carefully:
This should be a two way conversation. Give your family members a chance to respond to what you are saying and "listen" to them. They may have some questions or they may want to express their own opinion or concerns. Pay attention to what they have to say and try to respond to their needs.
Test Yourself (Family Discussion Scenarios)
