A man in his 30s who had endured a long illness after developing seizures around seven months of age ended his short life by giving his organs to four people.
According to the Korea Organ Donation Agency on the 6th, So In-hoo, 34, died at Chonbuk National University Hospital on the 1st of last month after donating his heart, liver, and both kidneys to save four people.
Born in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, in 1991, So began showing convulsions in which he curled his arms and legs around seven months of age. He was later diagnosed with epilepsy and continued drug treatment. As a child, he was able to walk while wearing a brace or with support. However, after suffering a severe case of pneumonia in his early 20s, undergoing intubation, and spending a long period in intensive care, even that became impossible.
So had spent more than a decade lying at home under his family's care when his condition suddenly deteriorated in June. He was taken to a hospital but never regained consciousness, reaching a state of brain death.
The bereaved family decided on organ donation in the hope that some part of the deceased would continue to exist somewhere. So's mother, Yang Young-hee, said, "When I heard the medical staff explain organ donation, I first asked whether there were any organs to donate, since my child had been sick for so long." She added, "I was deeply grateful to hear that he had saved other lives."
After suffering seizures in his childhood, So found it difficult to express himself in words, so he conveyed his emotions through facial expressions and gestures. When his mother, who spent the most time with him, spoke to him, he would answer with a smile and always showed a bright demeanor. For him, riding a wheelchair around the neighborhood once or twice a week with the help of his mother and a care worker was his only communication with the outside world.
His mother Yang reflected, "That son was the strength that allowed me to endure the long years of caregiving," and, "Rather than me keeping my son alive, it was my son who kept me alive." She then offered her final farewell: "I am sorry we parted so early, and it breaks my heart not to be able to see you. In your mother's heart, you will always be with me. I was so happy raising you. I will not forget you. My beloved son whom I miss, I miss you so much."
