[usconservative]

Bet they came in and took his organs before they even pulled the plug.

I've been through this process when my younger brother passed away after suffering a massive brain aneurysm.

I'll tell you upfront that long before the judge ruled on anything, there were recipients lined up for that young mans eyes, liver, lungs and more. Those recipients were on stand-by waiting to go to a hospital (somewhere, not necessarily UM) to get prepped for surgery once the remove ventilator order was given.

I will add that the "science" behind these types of deaths is far from certain. The gag/swallow reflex test is the most common one used and failing that is a certain ruling of brain death by the performing neurologist (that's who administers the test.)

I've lived through this process when my younger brother passed on August 11th, 2012.

I cannot tell you how much it wrenches my heart to read these stories.

[Mom MD]

I can tell you for a fact unless the parents consented to organ donation nothing was harvested.

[wgmalabama]

I need to look up this gag/swallow reflex test. I have Achalasia that impacts my ability to swallow properly. Swallowing is an autonomic response. I have no control over it and had pneumatic dilation to treat it. Years later it has links to autoimmune issues. I also had lymphoma at a statistical odd age and presentation. Today I have unspecified nerve damage assumed to be from chemo but to me it feels like my body just does not like my body so it creates pain.