logo
 Facebook/PiedmontHealthcare
Facebook/PiedmontHealthcare

Georgia Nurse Lori Wood Adopts Man with Autism so He Can Receive a Life-Saving Heart Transplant

Joe Akins
Nov 10, 2019
11:00 A.M.

A hospital shares a video of ICU nurse Lori Wood as she goes out of her way to ensure an autistic patient gets a new heart.

Advertisement

Last year when twenty-seven-year-old Jonathan Pinkard fell and was rushed to the emergency, he had no idea his life was about to change in a lot of ways.

"When you are a nurse, and you are willing to help people, it can be very frustrating when a patient needs something, and for some reason, they can't have it or receive it."

Pinkard, who was on the autism spectrum, was rushed to Piedmont Healthcare, where he was told that he would need a heart transplant.

Advertisement

Pinkard, however, could not be included in the heart transplant list because he had no support system.

"I lived with my grandmother, and she passed away in 2012. My mother is in a rehab facility, and she can't do much," Pinkard explained in a video posted by the hospital's facebook account.

The spokesperson, Anne Paschke of the organization in charge of deciding which patients receive donated organs in the United States (The United Network for Organ Sharing UNOS) told correspondents of Today's Health about the considerations looked into before putting up patients on the heart transplant list.

Advertisement

"They're going to look at things like do you show up for appointments and follow doctors' orders? If you get a transplant and don't take your immunosuppressive drugs, you're going to lose it."

In a drastic turn of events, a fifty-seven-year-old ICU nurse and single mom of one, Lori Wood, who had been taking care of Pinkard for two days, decided to adopt him as a legal guardian so that he could make the heart transplant list.

Advertisement

She said:

"When you are a nurse, and you are willing to help people, it can be very frustrating when a patient needs something, and for some reason, they can't have it or receive it."

Lori revealed that it wasn't much of a struggle to reach that decision because she had all she needs to take care of him. "At some point, God places situations into your life, and you have a choice to do something about it," she said about the decision.

"For me, this situation, there was no choice. I had a room, and I was a nurse, I could take care of him."

Advertisement

However, Kerri Hamilton, a co-worker at the hospital nominated Lori for the hospital's "President Award" after she found out what she had done.

"I nominated Lori for this. To me, it was above and beyond anything, and she deserves to be recognized for it. She has inspired me to be a better nurse," Kerri said.

The CEO of Piedmont Newton, Mike Robertson, said in the video that Lori's actions had taught everyone at the hospital to do better.

"Most caregivers have a large heart, but I haven't seen any as close to Lori's."

Advertisement

The twenty-seven-year-old had a successful heart transplant and moved into his new home and family right after.

"it's emotional, and at the same time, this has been a life journey for me. She has been awesome and very lovable to her son and me, as well."

Lori takes care of Johnathan's health needs, administering his medications, and going with him to doctors' appointments. They have bonded over watching football games and Steve Harvey's "Family Feud."

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

5 Celebrities Who Revealed They Raise Children with Special Needs

January 26, 2024

I Brought My Son to the Hospital after Accident and Found Out That He Wasn’t Really My Son – Story of the Day

January 08, 2024

Jimmy Kimmel's Son Was Born with Hole in His Heart – Disease Made Host & His Wife Share Secrets

January 19, 2024

John Travolta’s Late Wife Kelly Risked Her Life to Carry Last Baby at 47 — Her ‘Miracle’ Baby Celebrates 13 Years

November 24, 2023

Enraged Husband Hunts for His Wife in Hospital – Story of the Day

December 22, 2023

Xen Martin Is Tisha Campbell's Elder Son Diagnosed with Autism

January 11, 2024

14-Month-Old Toddler Tragically Drowns in the Pool - 1 Year Later His Parents Hear His Heartbeat Again

February 12, 2024

‘Criminal Minds’ Special Agent David Rossi Raised His Autistic Daughter with Wife of 48 Years: ‘She’s Wonderful’

November 10, 2023

This Guy ‘Looks Nothing Like’ His Hollywood Twin Brother Who Wanted to Give Him His Heart When He Had Weeks to Live

November 11, 2023

After Trashman Babysat My Kids for 25 Minutes, I Decided to Hire Him as Full-Time Nanny — Story of the Day

February 25, 2024

This Woman Provided for Famous Actor - During Their Marriage, He Met His 2nd Wife Who He Nursed Back to Health

February 26, 2024

I Took My Son to the Hospital after Accident and Found Out He Wasn't Really My Son – Story of the Day

January 31, 2024

Horrified Doctor Recognizes Elderly Couple at the Hospital as Their Bracelets Unearth Startling Past

February 29, 2024

This Boy Who Became a Popular Actor Revealed He Is Hard of Hearing in One Ear & Is Close to His Twin Brother

November 09, 2023