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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2002)
february 15. 2002_* | a a t M t q g nTTTJTWnTJnetus ichard Mcxxly has a strong heart. Looking at his trim figure and clear gaze, you wouldn’t suspect that the organ this 56-year-old gay man carries in his chest wasn’t original ly his. It belonged to a 19-year-old college student from Portland who died after a car accident in the Columbia Gorge about seven years ago. But her tragedy has meant life to five men who received her organs, including Moody, who after two heart attacks and bypass surgery was looking at either getting a new heart or dying. Today, he can look hack with some perspective on how life has changed since then. And he likes what he sees. “Unless I sit down and talk to someone about it— like now— I rarely think about it anymore." Fortunately, he’s been able to toler ate the powerful medications he must take to prevent his immune system from rejecting the heart. He also reports— so far— no major adverse health setbacks with the new organ. The concept of transplantation is o 3 not unfamiliar these days, hut being a recipient is a more existential matter. As Moody explains it, his heart now g feels like his own, hut initially it felt weird having another person’s organ ^ ~ , , . I . i _ ii Richard Moody (seated, with partner Carl Caspersen) heating in his chest— especially some- , , , , ; , . , , i i i . i hasn t slowed down despite his heart transplant one he didn t know. r r H ie mystery ended when a woman named stand donor programs,” she says. “There is a lot Janet Schulze spoke about her donor daughter at of healing involved. When I think of my daugh ter I’m really sad, but.l can think of Richard and a National Kidney Foundation meeting he attended. He put two and two together because see something good that has come out of it.” the time of Jennifer’s death corresponded with Schulze notes almost 80,000 U.S. citizens are his implant surgery. Both Schulze and Moody waiting for organ transplantation. “If everybexly coincidentally had prepared panels for a huge would talk about it, if people let loved ones know they want to donate if anything happens AIDS quilt to honor their donors. to them, that list would come down,” she says. She describes her introduction to him that day as “quite by accident and amazing." She Moody is a member of the National Kidney Foundation, a strong advocate of organ dona realizes it took great courage on his part to walk tion. He gravitated to the organization particu up to her and identify himself without any for mal intermediaries. larly because of its emphasis on wellness and a holistic approach to life in the aftermath of the “We’ve had the most wonderful relation transplant experience. ship,” Schulze says. “It is what Richard has done with her heart. I don’t think of her being alive, He has participated in the annual Hood to Coast walk with the foundation’s team, the hut in some ways, he’s returned her gift of life. I think he’s helped us to get through all of this.” Transplant Trotters. He says their goal is “to Schulze marvels at what Moody has accom show our transplants haven’t slowed us down.” plished with his new heart. “In four or five years, He also has competed in the U .S. Trans he’s done the HcxxJ to Coast run, he throws plant G am es, a quasi-Olympics bringing together organ recipients and their families pots, weaves, travels to Europe.” from throughout the nation. He says the Moody sometimes teams with Schulze to event provides enormous psychological grati speak to schixils and organizations on behalf of fication to people who have become active organ donation. “I would like people to under • New purchase • 100% equity loans • Pre-qualification by phone or fax • Refinance/cash out • Pre-approved loans • Residential, commercial & investment property • Appointments at your convenience Office 503 . 297.9900 Evenings / Weekends 503 . 780.1561 Toll Free 1 . 877 . 826.9900 Email colleenwiOmtgadvocates.com www.mtgadvocates.com "I'm available when you are! ” Colleen Weed A A A MORTGAGE Advocates 9900 S.W. Wilshire Street • Portland, Oregon 97225 B rave H eart Gay transplant recipient leads active, creative life by Jack Turteltaub and healthy after a major life trauma. Moody attributes much of his tranquillity and personal satisfaction to his 1999 retirement from a 20-year career teaching elementary school kids in Tigard. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done," he says. “I’m really doing what I want to do.” He remains cre ative and physically active. He teaches art to elementary school children in a private afternoon program. He also has a kiln at home and makes clay pots. The Gray- stone Gallery at 3279 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. is exhibiting some of his work. Moody also sings with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. He describes the organization’s importance to his life, particularly to his com ing-out process. When he first joined in 1981, he was openly gay in his private life but fearful of publicly coming out because of possible repercussions at the schcxil where he was teaching. In feet, he says some parents actually took their kids out of his class because they suspected he was queer. Back in those days, it was customary for many PGMC members to ask that they not be listed in the program for fear that employers or others would find out they were gay. But one day Mcxxly decided he wasn’t going to hide, and he let his name be printed. He dropped out of the chorus when his heart problems worsened in the 1990s but rejoined after he retired. Although he hasn’t made his transplant widely known to his fellow singers, he says veteran members and some people in his section Worried About Your Rights? know what he’s been through. Another important support for Moody in the past few years has been First Congregational Church. He has a strong spiritual sense, which he returned to years after he gave up believing as a teen-ager. “The church I belonged to didn’t accept that I was gay.” After “almost 40 years outside a church,” he attended a PGMC concert at First Congrega tional a couple of years ago. He liked the toler ant atmosphere and decided to become more involved. He feels he has “returned to a spiritual base” that is now significant in his life, a foun dation that includes the belief in a universal force that has guided him through some of his darker moments. Although the congregation is mostly straight, he describes the church as “very accepting” of sexual minorities and says a few members are bi and trans. Moody also is the president of Garden Friends, a club for gay men that holds monthly potlucks and sponsors garden ing programs. Some members have trav eled together to visit famous gardens in other countries. Moody lives in the Portland area with his partner of six years, fellow teacher Carl Caspersen, who works in Battleground, Wash. The couple love to travel and tend a big gar den with ponds and paths covering about an acre of land. Mcxxly is thankful to the donor who gave him a new lease on life, to his partner and to his extended family and friends, including people in the or ganizations that have al lowed him to give back so much. This multifaceted man unintentionally has become a kind of role model for . people— gay and straight— facing life-chang ing health problems. jH The N a t io n a l K id n e y F o u n d a t io n may be reached at 503-963-5364 or at the Internet site kidneyorwa.org. J a c k T u r t e l t a u b is a Port land free-lance writer, coach and psychologist. He may be reached at turtelta@e-z.net. ay and Lesbian couples need to take extra precaution when creating an estate plan. Why? Because the government doesn't provide equal rights to same sex couples, and it’s essential that you're prepared for the legal battle that may ensue when you or your partner die. G Rely on Someone Who Knows Your Rights Richard Schneider, a local attorney with 20 years of experience is well versed in the legal dilemmas that the gay community faces and can help you arm yourself against intervention by the courts. 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