Gordon Kirkland Paraplegia & Organ Donation Advocacy


Paraplegia Information

Information for paraplegics and quadriplegics, and those who live, work, play or just encounter them on the street. It will incorporate Gordon Kirkland's own writing on the subject, and noteworthy information from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and the Rick Hansen Foundation.

By Gordon Kirkland

Noteworthy Articles From Other Sources

Disability and Travel

Gordon Kirkland says, "I often find it somewhat bemusing, when someone is surprised that I am still able to enjoy travel. Obviously there are things that need to be handled differently, but with a very little effort, my travel experiences can be just as good as anyone else's."

In the first few years after his injury, Gordon did not travel very far from home. When his first book was published in 1999, it necessitated traveling across Canada, and to many American cities to promote the book. Travel is now an important part of his life, both for the business of promoting his books, and for personal enjoyment.

This page will provide links useful for those wishing to travel with their wheelchairs, as well as articles written by Gordon Kirkland on the subject.

Some tips and ideas about traveling to the Caribbean with a mobility issue or following a transplant (or both!)

Whenever possible, Gordon Kirkland flies on Westjet. Their One Person One Fare Program makes air travel much easier for passengers in wheelchairs, including providing seating in their Plus seats, and covering the cost of an attendant's flight (if needed) within Canada. Visit their website to apply for the program.

 


Organ Donation Information

Gordon Kirkland believes that he will never be able to pay back the generous individual who, in death, donated his liver to save Gordon's life. He is also extremely grateful to the family of that donor, for honoring their loved one's wishes at what must have been a horrific time of their lives. The only thing Gordon can do, is pay it forward, by encouraging more people to register as donors.

This page will become a collection ground for information about organ donation, both through links to other sites, and through Gordon's writings on the subject.

 

Information For Pre and Post-Transplant Patients

Waiting for a transplant is an unbelievable stressful situation for the patient. It also causes a great deal of stress for the patient's friends and family, and in particular, the primary care giver. In almost all cases, the patient is in a life or death situation, and facing up to that fact is not easy for anyone involved.

Much of the specific information on this page will be for those waiting for or recovering from a liver transplant, however there will be general information here that can be applied to all forms of transplant. You will find links to informative websites that Gordon recommends, and Gordon's own writing on the subject. We hope you will find this to be a useful site, and wish everyone all the very best on their transplant journeys.

This is an excellent article in understandable terms describing conditions resulting in the need for a liver transplant, and the procedures used.

This article by Gordon Kirkland takes a slightly whimsical look at the important subject of dealing with the rumors surrounding life after a transplant.

 

Gordon Kirkland supports the following organizations

 

 

 
 

 

  (C)2016, Gordon Kirkland. All rights reserved