Grieving Parents Hear Late Daughter's Heart Beat Again
Source: KMBC Kansas City
Kelli Smith has spent the past two years living with the heart of another woman beating in her chest. Alicia Sabaugh died in a car crash on Interstate 435 in January 2009.
Smith and Alicia's parents met for the first time in January. The meeting, which was filled with hugs and tears, is one that the outside world rarely sees.
Alicia Sabaugh was thrown from a vehicle that hit a guard rail near I-435 and Holmes Road two years ago. She was a woman who her family described as young, talented and caring. She was also someone who had talked with her father about organ donation just months earlier.
"She said, 'If anything ever happens to me -- to her -- that she wanted to donate all her organs," said her father, Sam Sabaugh.
At the same time, Smith was dying. Her diseased heart left her on a waiting list for a transplant with only a few months to live.
She said she remembers her reaction after getting the call that Alicia Sabaugh's donor heart had become available.
"At first, it was tears of joy that it finally happened," Smith said. "It turned into tears of sorrow, knowing that somebody's life ended. We asked the nurse if we could have a moment and we prayed for her family."
Smith received Alicia Sabaugh's heart on Jan. 4, 2009. Last month, Smith met the parents who made sure their daughter's wishes were carried out.
"We're so glad that you're sitting here, because for two years, she's been gone," Sue Sabaugh told Smith. "But you're sitting here, looking so healthy. What a gift to us to see you and to know Alicia's heart is with you."
In the 90-minute meeting, the two families learned a lot about each other. The Sabaughs shared photographs of their daughter with Smith.
"She was so much fun," Sue Sabaugh said.
"I often listen to my heart because it's just so different from the heart I used to have. I'm proud and thankful."
- Kelli Smith
The highlight of the meeting may have been when the Sabaughs got a chance to hear Alicia's heart beat one more time. The family members took their turns listening.
"I can hear her heart," Sue Sabaugh said. "It's beautiful."
"It's got a nice rhythm," said Sam Sabaugh.
"I often listen to my heart because it's just so different from the heart I used to have," said Smith. "I'm proud and thankful."
The meeting took two years to happen, but the Sabaughs said the timing was right. Both families had to agree to meet before the encounter could be set up, and it opened a new relationship for them. Smith said it was a chance to say thank you and the Sabaughs said it represented a chance to move forward.
The Sabaugh family has set up a charitable foundation in Alicia Sabaugh's name. For information on where the money goes and how to donate, the family asks the public to e-mail Alicia's father at sam.sabaugh@ubs.com.
"She said, 'If anything ever happens to me -- to her -- that she wanted to donate all her organs," said her father, Sam Sabaugh.
At the same time, Smith was dying. Her diseased heart left her on a waiting list for a transplant with only a few months to live.
She said she remembers her reaction after getting the call that Alicia Sabaugh's donor heart had become available.
"At first, it was tears of joy that it finally happened," Smith said. "It turned into tears of sorrow, knowing that somebody's life ended. We asked the nurse if we could have a moment and we prayed for her family."
Smith received Alicia Sabaugh's heart on Jan. 4, 2009. Last month, Smith met the parents who made sure their daughter's wishes were carried out.
"We're so glad that you're sitting here, because for two years, she's been gone," Sue Sabaugh told Smith. "But you're sitting here, looking so healthy. What a gift to us to see you and to know Alicia's heart is with you."
In the 90-minute meeting, the two families learned a lot about each other. The Sabaughs shared photographs of their daughter with Smith.
"She was so much fun," Sue Sabaugh said.
"I often listen to my heart because it's just so different from the heart I used to have. I'm proud and thankful."
- Kelli Smith
The highlight of the meeting may have been when the Sabaughs got a chance to hear Alicia's heart beat one more time. The family members took their turns listening.
"I can hear her heart," Sue Sabaugh said. "It's beautiful."
"It's got a nice rhythm," said Sam Sabaugh.
"I often listen to my heart because it's just so different from the heart I used to have," said Smith. "I'm proud and thankful."
The meeting took two years to happen, but the Sabaughs said the timing was right. Both families had to agree to meet before the encounter could be set up, and it opened a new relationship for them. Smith said it was a chance to say thank you and the Sabaughs said it represented a chance to move forward.
The Sabaugh family has set up a charitable foundation in Alicia Sabaugh's name. For information on where the money goes and how to donate, the family asks the public to e-mail Alicia's father at sam.sabaugh@ubs.com.
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