LAURA CARTLEDGE: Organ donation is a tough topic we should opt in to talking about
It’s not a topic for the dining table.
And there never seems to be the right time between watching Grand Designs and QI.
In a country where default conversation turns to the weather, or what a publicity-crazed nobody has said on morning television about children’s names, there isn’t much time left for the important stuff.
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Hide AdInstead it is put on a high shelf out of harm’s way, or scheduled into news slots – which we can ignore or turn off.
But as sad, and inevitable, and hard it is, I really think death should be talked about.
Even if it is just once.
So you know, when the time comes, that it is ‘what they would have wanted’.
After all, I could never have predicted my uncle wants to be buried in a cardboard box.
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Hide AdWhile my partner is toying with the idea of taxidermy – so he can still be part of the party, or at least be a useful place to hang coats.
Which in my opinion might be taking ‘the last laugh’ a little too far.
Perhaps we feel that life is so fragile, even speaking about death is risky.
However with Wales giving the go-ahead to the opt-out organ donation scheme, it is a topic which is making the headlines.
The opt-out system will make a massive difference.
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Hide AdI know so many people who want to opt in but don’t want to risk upsetting their loved ones.
Organ donation is a very personal thing and not the answer for everyone.
Religious beliefs, family wishes and squeamishness levels all play a part.
But there is also no doubt in my mind that it is an amazing thing to do.
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Hide AdFigures are hard to understand, and people as numbers is even harder.
Currently in West Sussex 114 people are waiting for a transplant.
That’s 114 families living in hope that somewhere a difficult conversation has taken place.