27-yr-old with autism and in desperate need of heart transplant had lost hope—until an ICU nurse adopted him to save him
Some healthcare workers go above and beyond their duty to ensure their patients' well-being. However, one nurse went as far as to adopt one of her autistic patients so he could qualify for a heart transplant. The 27-year-old man, Jonathan Pinkard, was taken off the list of people for a heart transplant as he didn't have adequate support for the procedure. The surgery was essential for his survival. So when nurse Lori Wood came to know about the situation, she decided to take matters into her own hands, per TODAY.com.
Wood worked as an ICU nurse at Piedmont Newnan Hospital in Georgia and had been assigned to Pinkard in 2018. "Jonathan was very sick, but he wasn’t eligible for a transplant because he didn’t have a support system. One of the requirements is that you have someone to care for you afterwards," the nurse explained. "They’re going to look at things like do you show up for appointments and follow the doctor's orders? If you get a transplant and don’t take your immunosuppressive drugs, you’re going to lose it," Anne Paschke, spokesperson for United Network for Organ Sharing, continued. As there are many people on the list, the organization has to ensure that the people who receive a transplant can look after themselves and take anti-rejection medicine, according to a doctor's prescription.
Pinkard had been living at a men's shelter while he was undergoing treatment back in 2019, as he had no other place to go. Eventually, Wood asked Pinkard if she could become his legal guardian. "I had to help him. It was a no-brainer. He would have died without the transplant." The nurse didn't know much about Pinkard when she asked him the question, but the man agreed and moved in with the nurse. "Jonathan has his chair and I have my chair. We like game shows and high-five back and forth if we get an answer right. He is very loving," the single mom revealed. The two formed a strong bond because of their love for football and Pinkard even started calling her mama.
Wood took care of Pinkard as he recovered after his heart transplant and made sure that he took his 34 daily pills to be in good health. She also took him back and forth from his doctor's appointments. In that duration, Wood also helped the man improve his credit score, learn life skills and more, so he could live independently. "She treats me like one of her sons. I am truly thankful for that," Pinkard admitted. He had a heart transplant in August 2019 and hoped to go back to work as an office clerk in December 2019. "It’s been a joy having Jonathan here with us. I knew this was what I was supposed to do." Pinkard recognized Wood's work in saving his life. "I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for her," the man told CBS Evening News.
People remarked that Wood was doing god's work in the comments section of the video. @EW-uw7dg wrote, "Lori is an answer to a mother's prayer. It's so hard for individuals with autism to function in this world and they usually really love their caretakers. He must have been so lost without his mom. Thankfully, he met Lori, a beautiful family." @yf222000 commented, "My mom told me long ago. Doctors may be important. But nurses are angels in human form." @NonyaBeezins remarked, "May the reward in heaven be great for such a beautiful person. What a great man he is."