The Back Page
By Sue Ferguson
It is the month of June, and I am finally sitting out on the porch with my laptop writing for the first time since last October. The beautiful bushes that we transplanted from the Sihler property up off of Argyle Street (now called “Sihler Woods”) are in full bloom. The beauty of God's creation is all around us in a new way in this next season. The patio is open at Riversyde, and our guests are enjoying the extended space we are offering as well. I know I talk about Riversyde a lot, and how working there has brought me into the presence of some pretty amazing people.
Last week, one of our volunteers wanted me to meet a couple that was coming for lunch from Eastern Canada. They were co-workers back in her nursing days. This couple had suffered a tremendous unfathomable loss back in 2013 when their 17 year old daughter died on the rugby field from a hit to the head. She had suffered head injuries prior to that day, but her parents and coaches were unaware of the gravity of her injuries. Her name was Rowan Stringer. As a coach, I knew this story and I knew her name, because I had to pass a course on concussion management and “Rowan's Law” was part of that course. Her parents were so glad to hear that I knew about it. They wanted to prevent other athletes from enduring the same fate as their daughter through education and awareness about head injuries. Rowan's law was the first legislation of its kind in Canada when it was passed back in 2018. It mandates strict concussion safety rules so that amateur athletes can recover safely. Sports organizations must enforce the law.
As they shared their story, I was more and more amazed in learning how the death of their daughter brought life to so many others through not only education, but through the donation of her organs. Her mom Kathleen shared with me that a person with cystic fibrosis had received Rowan's lungs. Another had received her heart. Kathleen wasn't sure if she wanted to know who these people were, but in the end, she received a note themed with the colour purple (Rowan's favourite colour), alerting her that this person was the recipient of Rowan's heart.
One of the most touching things she told me was that the recipient of Rowan's corneas had never yet seen his children until the transplant. The more they spoke, the more I was moved and in awe of their courage. Courage to move forward and help others in the face of tragedy by passing Rowan's law, and courage to speak about the life that their daughter gave to others in her death. I don't know if Kathleen and her husband Gordon Stringer are Christians, but being a follower of Jesus, I can see God's hand in this story in so many ways. I wonder if those other families that were recipients of her organs prayed for healing. I wonder if being healed brought them to Jesus. Loss can bring us to our knees. It can make us bitter, and it can make us better too. Rowan's death has saved countless lives.
In thinking about Rowan and others that suffer from injuries, I am reminded of the fragility and sometimes brevity of our lives. I pray for peace as her family navigates through life without their girl. I am so glad they stopped by Riversyde for a visit with an old friend. Once again God has put some folks in my path who have left an impression on my heart. I feel blessed with the beauty of the new season and also with new friends. God is good.
