I recently had the opportunity to talk to someone who is the recipient of a major organ transplant. The person wrote this  . . . .

Please know that you as a family have been incredibly generous beyond words, and nobody will ever understand what you have all been through.  Those of us lucky enough to benefit from such acts of giving know their true value, and despite everything, the gift and the 'givers' are not forgotten.  I feel privileged that I have been given a second chance, and this time I am making sure that I really do live life to the full and appreciate everything around me.  That is an insight not many people receive.

It is very difficult to fully describe our emotions and the enormity of our loss. The opportunity to assist in giving someone the opportunity of having a new life made our loss less futile. If you have any doubts at all, imagine how you would feel being given a second chance to live again.

Although you have lost a loved one, your act of generosity may save the lives of others.

Don't hesitate - Donate. 

Organ Transplants

Organ Donation (from the NHS Website)

Organ donation can lead to life-saving transplants or help improve a person's health and quality of life. It is also possible to donate tissue. There are several different types of organ transplants and the reasons why they may be used can vary. 

Organs that can be donated include:

·               kidneys

·               liver

·               heart

·               lungs

·               small bowel

·               pancreas

Tissue donation

·                the cornea (the transparent layer at the front of the eye)

·               bone

·               skin 

·               heart valves

·               tendons

·               cartilage

Kidneys

A kidney can provide a better quality of life to someone who has end-stage renal failure (ESRF). Renal failure is where the kidneys stop working properly.

Kidney transplants give better long-term survival rates and quality of life than dialysis (where some of the kidney's functions are artificially replaced). Kidneys used for transplant can come from a living person or from someone who has died.

The demand for donated kidneys is higher than for any other organ. More than 1,599 kidney transplants were carried out during 2011-12. The number of living donor kidney transplants being performed is also increasing, with 1,009 kidney donations from living donors being carried out during the same period. Read more information about kidney transplants.

Liver

A liver transplant is often considered for people with end-stage liver disease. In around 86% of cases, transplanted livers still function well a year after surgery.

In 2011-12, a total of 726 liver transplants were carried out in the UK. For adults, the average waiting time for a liver transplant is around 142 days, and for children it is about 78 days.

Read more information about liver transplants.

Heart

Most heart transplants are carried out on people with severe heart failure caused by coronary heart disease or cardiomyopathy (diseased heart muscles) who can no longer be helped by medication or other surgery. The survival rate after one year of having a heart transplant is approximately 85%.

In 2011-12, around 141 heart transplants were carried out in the UK. The average waiting time for a suitable heart to become available for transplant is around 253 days. Read more information about heart transplants.

Lungs

Lungs can be damaged by illnesses such as cystic fibrosis(where the lungs become clogged with thick, sticky mucus), or respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which are often the result of smoking. Patients are considered for lung transplantation when their lung function cannot be significantly improved by medical therapy or surgery. Lung transplants have a 77% success rate one year after surgery, and heart-lung transplants have a 73% success rate. Around 175 lung transplants are carried out in the UK each year. The average waiting time for a lung transplant is around 412 days. Read more information about lung transplants.

Small bowel

A small bowel transplant (intestinal transplant) is usually recommended if there is not enough bowel left to absorb nutrition (short bowel syndrome), and when the patient is having difficulty with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN is where nutrition is given intravenously (through a vein). Small bowel transplants are often performed at the same time as a liver and pancreas transplant. This is called a multivisceral transplant. Small bowel transplants are fairly uncommon. Only 22 intestinal transplants were carried out in 2011-12. On average, patients wait six months for a transplant of this type. Read more information about a small bowel transplant.

Pancreas

A successful pancreas transplant is the only treatment that can restore complete insulin independence and blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes.

In 2011-12, 37 pancreas only and 173 pancreas and kidney transplants were carried out in the UK. The average waiting time for a combined pancreas and kidney transplant for an adult is around 278 days.  Read more information about pancreas transplants.

Tissue donation

Unlike organs, tissue can be donated up to 48 hours after the heart has stopped beating. The tissue can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, some of which may be life-threatening.

The most common tissues that can be donated are:

·         the cornea (the transparent layer at the front of the eye)

·         bone

·         skin 

·         heart valves

·         tendons

·         cartilage

It is possible to retrieve tissue from a donor up to 48 hours after a person has died. This is very useful because it allows tissue to be screened for possible infectious agents, and enables a pool of available tissue to be established.

Corneas

Corneas can be transplanted to restore the sight of a person who has an eye condition or eye injury. Patients closest in age to the donor are usually selected as recipients, wherever they live in the country. Cornea transplants can be carried out under either a general or local anaesthetic. Between 2011-12, 3,521 people had their sight restored through a cornea transplant. Read more information about cornea transplants.

Heart valves

Heart valves can be used to help children born with heart defects. They are also used for adults with diseased or damaged valves.

Bones

Bone can be used to help improve or restore mobility. Bone grafts can also be used in a variety of orthopaedic procedures (those that involve muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and nerves), including joint replacements and spinal surgery. Bone transplants can also prevent a limb from being amputated (surgically removed) in people with bone cancer.

Skin

Skin can help save the lives of severe burns victims. A skin graft helps reduce pain and prepares underlying tissue for later treatment. It also helps reduce scarring. However, it can take a number of grafts to treat a severely burned patient successfully.

Tendons

Tendons are tough, flexible tissues found throughout the body which connect muscles to bone and cartilage. Donated tendons are usually used to reconstruct injured knees in young people, usually following sports injuries.

Cartilage

Cartilage is used to help reconstruct parts of the body following injury or during joint replacement surgery. Common reasons for cartilage transplant include injury or wear caused by disease, such as osteoarthritis (a common type of arthritis that causes inflammation of the bones and joints).

Organ Donation - why, who and where

I was recently asked about donating the organs of someone's relative . . .

Do you know who the transplants go to?

No you are only told a little about the recipient sex, age circumstance. We were told that Elaine's organs were transplanted and her corneas went gone into the cornea bank for use when needed. (They can store corneas for up to 10 years). Later they were given to two twenty year olds. One  kidney and the Pancreas was given to a lady in her 30's and the other kidney to a man in his 20's. The liver was given to a lady in her 50's who has a grown up family. The heart was given to a lady in her early 30's who has a young family.

In all the turmoil it is difficult to make a decision about it!

Don't hesitate other people's lives and futures are at stake.

We are not sure about it!

Later when all the turmoil has ceased you will be content that out of chaos good has come in abundance.

What shall we donate?

As much as you can and feel comfortable with and more. Afterwards we were sad that some of our daughters organs could not be used due to her injuries.

The transplant co-ordinators will gently lead you through the procedure, help and advise you.

Remember you are making major life changing and life giving decisions about someone else's life. You can give someone the gift of LIFE.

The next piece is from the NHS website and tells you the facts about the individual organs and tissues you can donate.

Merry Christmas

At the close of another year, we pause to wish you a blessed and happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.   We also pray that in 2013 you will receive God's abundant blessings.

The Sign of a Rainbow: 
A Prayer for a Rainy Day (inspired by Genesis 9: 8-17)   
O God, sometimes I hate it when the rain comes pouring down, with black clouds piled up high and the roof gutters overflowing. 

But when the rain stops, and through the window I see a rainbow stretched across the sky, my spirits lighten and I am cheered. I remember that when Noah and his family stepped out of the ark to find a ruined earth you placed a rainbow in their sky, as a sign that you had not forsaken them and would never break your covenant with the world.
Lord, I needed that rainbow. At times I find it hard to hold on to my hopes for myself, for members of my family, or for the world where bad things can and do happen. Help me when I am depressed and hopeless to see the rainbow as your sign of hope. Raise my spirits within me, help me to do my part, and when I have done it leave the future with you.
I do not expect a trouble-free life any more than I expect a rainless winter or a cloudless summer. But in my heart of hearts I know you are faithful and will never abandon me, those I love, or the world around and beyond me.
Give me the patience and courage to carry on. Daily replenish my stores of faith and love and hope, so that no new trial or challenge may overwhelm me. May my life be a rainbow sign to others around me who might also be tempted to lose hope.

9th September 2011

SHE walks in beauty, like the night 
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meets in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every auburn tress
Or softly lightens o'er her face,
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,—
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.

Elaine's would have been 25 on the 9th of September 2011.

Demoted

Valerie Letheren is still a Bucks County Council Cabinet Member but she has been demoted to Cabinet Member for Children's Services. I hope she makes a better job of this area than she did for Transport.
   
Peter Hardy is now Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation. He lives on West Common in Gerrards Cross so perhaps he will pay greater attention to the problems of the A413 especially as people are still dying on the A413.

Remember: A good reputation goes before you but a bad reputation sticks with you even until judgement day!


Judgement day is coming . . .

Memorial Garden

We recently went to Elaine's school Viking Primary to ope a Memory Garden dedicated to her. It was wonderful to see  the children enjoying the sunshine and all the staff. They all made us most welcome and we had a wonderful time.

The garden has a theme of "Elephants" which where Elaine's favourite animal because "Elephants never forget."
Sue Townson, the headteacher, persuaded us to wear her elephant hat for the photos. You can see them and the rest of the photos on this is the web link to the schools website that covers the event.
http://webfronter.com/ealing/viking/ff_files/00_Home/Internal_Pages/Memorial_Garden.html
and
http://webfronter.com/ealing/viking/

kneeler

The congregation at St Mary's Church Denham each year, at Christmas, donate a kneeler in memory of a member of the congregation. Last Christmas Elaine's was chosen. The kneeler was made by Gerald and Beverly Miller and has now been blessed and placed in the church. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all at St Mary's for all the love, prayers and support they have given us during the past year. Gerald and Beverly kindly stitched an Elaineybow into the side of the kneeler because she like rainbows.

Good News at Last

We have just had a letter from the Transplant Co-ordinator telling us that all of the recipients of Elaine's organ donations are doing well. They also told us that a small lobe of Elaine's liver was transplanted into a 16 month old baby. The baby has survived, is doing well and is now about two and a half years old. 
If you like us still feel pain and sadness at the loss of Elaine, just think of the joy the parents and family of this young baby must feel having their child given a new lease of life. Elaine would be thrilled that she has been able to produce so much joy and happiness out of her misfortune.

The Crown Prosecution Society

On the CPS website is says. . . Fair, fearless, effective: The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police.. . 

What it does not say is that it also prevents the Police from taking cases to court thereby preventing Judges and Juries from exercising their right to make judgements based on the evidence presented.

Definitions: Crown Prosecution Service, CPS.

1.     A department of crown solicitors who take cases to court so that justice can be administered after consideration by a Judge and Jury.

2.     An organisation that wastes police time and aids the guilty by preventing the police from taking to court those cases the police believe should be prosecuted.

3.     Chicken Persecution Society:  a group of solicitors who persecute chickens and ignore the vultures preying on society

4.     An abbreviation for Cases Please "Simples"

Well it's what I think  . . . .

The Police versus the CPS

The Police have been superb. They have fully investigated Elaine's case, kept us fully informed and supported me and my family throughout this difficult time. The whole team attended the inquest and have done an excellent job.. We extend to them all our deepest gratitude for their kindness, sympathy and support.

The Police investigated the circumstances surrounding Elaine's death and sent the file to the CPS with a view to charging and prosecuting those responsible. The CPS decided not to prosecute. After a meeting with the CPS, the police officer in charge of the case and ourselves it was decided that further investigations should take place. The file was resubmitted to the CPS for  review along with a request for advice on any further evidence that might be required to strengthen the case against the guilty parties. The CPS decided once again not to prosecute and declined to advise on what further evidence was required.

Strange this when you know that two members of the CPS and others involved in this case have told us that we will succeed if we take out a private prosecution. Yet the CPS decline to assist the police in advising them what further evidence is required. It appears that the weight of evidence required is less in a civil case. 

One year on!

It has been a hard year but somehow we have managed to get  through it with the help and prayers of all our friends who we thank from the bottom of our hearts. Coping with someone's death is bad enough but having also to deal with probate, insurance companies, solicitors, inquests, the police enquiries and the CPS makes it especially difficult.  In the next few postings I am going to try to bring you up to date with the events of the past few weeks.

Road still flooding despite spate of deaths

From the Bucks Advertiser written by Jack Abell on Jan 27

A ROAD which has become an accident black spot is still suffering from serious flooding despite this issue playing a major part in a fatal crash last year.
The A413 between Chalfont St Peter and Denham has long suffered from flooding during and after rainfall, and last year an inquest heard that it was a contributing factor into the death of Elaine Stacey, 23, whose car collided with another which had lost control after hitting a huge patch of water on the road.
This week, following rainfall, reader John Hatton of Chalfont St Peter parish council, took some pictures and sent them to us, which show that the problem is still very much in evidence along the road.
In a letter to the Advertiser he said: "Despite the fatal accident that resulted in the sad death of Elaine Stacey, the A413 is still flooding in quite moderate rain.
"Last Monday I went out to see what the situation was and was amazed that the flooding was still so much in evidence.
"In the dark and without lighting, there is another serious accident waiting to happen.
"I immediately took photographs of the flooded sections and sent them to Bucks County Council Transport for Buckinghamshire.
"I had a rapid response that as a result of my letter they had cleared the drains and would be looking in to the cause of the flooding where the drainage was inadequate.
"What I do wonder at, though, is why the combination of well-known and regular flooding, the lights being turned controversially off, and a fatal accident had not caused an immediate action to review the drainage infrastructure without the necessity for photographs to be provided."

Well said John Hatton and Jack Abell. 

Perhaps Valerie Letheren who is a  Bucks County Councillor responsible for Transport  would like to comment.

The truth will out

A resident who lives on the A413 close to the crash site sent me a copy of a letter she recently sent to the relevant people and organisations. It concerns an activity which we knew had happened in the past but had no documentary evidence to prove.

"I have lived on this road for almost 3 years and lived in the local area for 17 years.  Living on the A413 it has made me aware just how dangerous this stretch of road is - being so dark, with constant flooding and some drivers using it as a race track!

I am writing again because I found a Gully Cleaner from Flowline EMPTYING his lorry all over the road right in front of my house (4.30pm last Thursday 20^th January)!  Why on earth would he pour all of the filthy water and other muck he has spent all day collecting back onto a road that still floods!!  I thought the idea of gully cleaning was to prevent flooding. Why are we paying rates for this service if the companies that are employed to carry out the job do not dispose of the waste in the appropriate designated areas?  The smell outside of my house was awful.

The driver was so surprised to see me that he jumped into his lorry and drove off with the cap still off the outlet and spewing the waste all over the road.  He then joined the A413, crossed the dual carriageway, pulled into another lay-by across the road and carried on emptying.  I followed him to get his registration number, company name and phone number and reported it. . . . ."

It now transpires that Flowline are not employed by Bucks County Council.
Is this an example of Gross Negligence. . . . . . .

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As each year comes to an end it is customary to look back at the events of the previous year. We would like to thank you all for the love, prayers, help and support we have been given during the past few months which have carried us through the dark times. Christmas is a time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world.


An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2 v9-11)

Ray, Averil and Jo would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In Memoriam

The memorial stones to Elaine have now finally been placed in position.

The top one is a memorial stone on the Churchyard Wall in St Mary's Church, Denham. This is the church where she spent most of her Christian life. She attended the family service from her very early years sitting on the carpet in the aisle to listen to Adrian's stories. When old enough she stood on a box to read the lesson at Sunday morning service and later she joined the choir. When she moved back to Denham after her university years, she lived in a house belonging to the Church and was about to work part time helping Adrian the Vicar. 

The stone below is on her grave in the churchyard of St. Hieritha's Church in Chittlehampton, Devon. It is the church where we all worship and is not far from where we live.

As her gravestone says she was "Simply Awesome!"

Another Accident

Returning on Sunday from a short break we learnt of yet another accident on the A413 near to the Tatling End junction. Two more young women in their 20's died at the scene and four more are in hospital. My heart goes out to not only the parents but the family and friends of these young people. Once can be an accident two is a catastrophe but three is  . . . . . .

http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/newsevents/newsevents-pressreleases/newsevents-pressreleases-item.htm?id=153413

Comment

The inquest on October 6th into the death of Elaine last March raised a number of points that I feel should be brought to the attention of the long suffering users of Buckinghamshire's roads.

Buckinghamshire County Council was represented at the inquest by a specialist barrister from Lincoln's Inn at enormous expense. His enormous fee will be paid by the long suffering rate payers of Buckinghamshire. 

Evidence presented showed that:

• There was a large area of standing water in the northbound carriageway of the  A413 for a distance of approximately 70 metres (240 feet).
• The water was 14cm (5.5") deep at the deepest part and it masked the LED road markings on that side of the road.
• Five of the road drainage gulley's where blocked solid to the grating with detritus
• Eric Meek, who is group operations manager for transport for Buckinghamshire (and is employed by the subcontractor  Ringway Jacobs), told the inquest that the drains between the gulley's were also blocked.
• He was also adamant that standard county council routine of once a year clearing of gulley's is enough to cope with normal circumstances. 

In recording a  verdict of death by misadventure, Coroner Richard Hulett said: “If anything had happened a second either way, we wouldn't be sat here."  I disagree with his summation because Matthew Bristow's car crossing into the opposite carriageway was not time critical. Had his car not hit my daughters and ended its journey at the verge on the far side of the road, it would have carried on through the trees at the side of the A413. The inquest could have dealing with more than one death! Three exceedingly lucky young people survived that night. 

Regardless of the verdict in the Coroners Court or that in any future courts , we know who is responsible for our daughter's death and are confident that Elaine, her family and her friends will receive justice they deserve in the appropriate court.

We would like to remind all concerned that no matter how meek or humble they might appear,  there is one Judge who reigns supreme above all others and before whose judgement seat all men (and women) must appear (without legal representation) to give an account of their lives and actions  (Revelations. 20:13-15). If anyone's name is not found written in the book of life, they will  receive no leniency in this court save from the mediation of One.

Users of the A413 in the Chalfonts

If in the past you have complained to the either the Police, Bucks County Council, Chiltern District  Council, or Gerrards Cross Parish Council,  or any representative of these organisations such as your local councillor  regarding the problems on the A413 please contact me by email giving as much detail as possible. My email address is raystacey@boltblue.com 

Inquest News Reports

If you follow these links they will give you details of what happened at the Coroners Inquest.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/8436279.Flooded_road_led_to_fatal_crash/

http://chalfontstpeter.buckinghamshireadvertiser.co.uk/2010/10/road-death-caused-after-huge-f.html

Today would have been Elaine's 24th Birthday

Elaine's memorial at St Mary's Church in Denham.Village.

Brina Marks who was on the Biblical Studies Course at Sheffield University with Elaine has made this video of her time at the  archaeological dig in Tel-El-Safi, Israel. You can download it from http://www.sendspace.com/file/829vuj 

Coroner will hold Inquest

The Coroners Officer has informed me that there will be a full inquest into Elaine's death on Wednesday 6th October at 1400 hrs at High Wycombe Magistrates Court.

No Comment - Yet!

The Police have just informed us that the Crown Prosecution Service is not going to charge the driver with any motoring offence. Neither are they going to pursue a charge of  "Corporate Manslaughter" against Bucks County Council. Of course I have much to say on these decisions and other matters. However, I cannot make comment at the moment as it may prejudice any future action that may be taken. Watch this space.

When We Remember

Elaine taught at Viking Primary School in London. They have a superb website full of information about the school. Looking through it today I came across the following page. It is a beautiful tribute to Elaine and she was obviously much loved by both children and staff . 

The You Tube videos are typical of Lainey.

 http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/ealing/schools/viking/Year2/Miss%20Stacey/

When We Remember

You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her 
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want:
smile,
open your eyes,
love
and go on.

That is what we must all do now joyfully remember her with love, smile and get on with the rest of our lives.

 Thank you Viking Primary.

And the blind shall see

The organ transplant service has just written to us to tell us that Elaine's corneas have now been used. One was given to a 27 year old woman and the other to a 29 year old man. 

• Last year (2008-09) 2,711 people had their sight restored by corneas supplied through NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).
• Last year, 2,075 people donated their eyes after their death but there is still a major shortage of corneas in the UK. Many more people would benefit from a sight-saving transplant if more eyes were donated.
• There is a shortage each year of approximately 500 corneas. The number of requests to NHSBT that cannot be met has increased owing to increased demand.

Have you registered your name on the NHS Organ Donor Register yet. Do it now by going to  http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/