ICU Nurse Adopts Homeless Man She Just Met to Save His Life

With a shared passion for "Family Feud," game shows and high fives are the deal of the day for one mother and her adoptive son -- who met his mom when he was fighting for his life in a hospital bed.

In 2019, a 27-year-old autistic man from Georgia faced a life and death predicament, with no one to help him out.

Brought up by his now-late grandmother and with his biological mother in a rehabilitation center, Jonathan Pinkard was homeless. Ultimately, he had no support system -- which could have led to his demise.

NO HOPE

In August 2018, he collapsed at work and was hurried to the hospital. Medical professionals informed him that he needed a heart transplant, but he wasn't eligible. Nurse Lorinda Wood explained:

"One of the requirements is that you have someone to care for you afterwards. [sic]"

This ICU caregiver working at the Piedmont Newnan Hospital ended up playing a more highly significant role in the autistic man's life than many would have expected.

A HEART OF GOLD

The nurse, who had only known Pinkard for two days, was touched by his plight. Feeling as though she needed to do something, she made a miraculous move. Talking about this, Wood expressed:

"When you're a nurse, and you're wanting to fix and help people, that can be very frustrating if you know a patient needs something and for whatever reason, they can't have it. [sic]"

Ultimately, the caregiver became Pinkard's legal guardian cementing his heart transplant surgery in August 2019 and effectively saving his life.

TWO PEAS IN A POD

Following the adoption, the duo developed a close relationship with Pinkard calling the benevolent nurse "Mama." The ex-homeless man said:

"If it weren't for her, I would not be the person I am today."

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This caregiver did not go unrecognized for her efforts, winning the 2018-2019 President's Award -- an employee recognition initiative at her workplace.

HUMANITY STEPS UP

Tragically, Pinkard was only one of the beyond numerous homeless individuals around the globe. This number just grew significantly higher due to the tornado that recently hit Kentucky.

A 73-year-old grandmother, Pamela, was one of these victims, left to fend for herself on the streets. However, help was coming her way.

Many people had donated to the Dream Relief Foundation to help those hit by the natural disaster. Pamela was presented with $20,000 from the foundation to get a new house.

When presented with this money, the elderly woman cried with joy. These stories remind us that when we feel alone in this world, there are individuals out there who want to and will lend us a hand in times of profound darkness.