Untimely Loss Leads To Lives Saved
Wolf Point’s Mikaela Jayde Uchtman died July 25 in Billings at the age of 31. Prior to her passing, Uchtman indicated her wishes to participate in organ donation programs, a decision that has added joy to the loss and sadness experienced by grandparents Don and Eileen Traeholt, father Kerry, her siblings and friends.
Her mother, Linette Uchtman, spoke to the Northern Plains Independent about learning her pain could prove lifesaving to others.
Uchtman said initially she was opposed to organ donation and still has some mixed feelings. “For some reason, we had a conversation and I’m like, oh, that’s gross,” she said. Later, when Mikaela was on life support, Uchtman said she and the family discussed it while waiting for relatives to arrive from overseas and decided to respect her daughter’s wishes. “That giving spirit that she had,” Uchtman said. “Her dad and I talked it over and decided it was like our last gift.”
Uchtman said several groups reached out following the donations, including Life Center Northwest, headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., and Lions World Vision Institute in Seattle to confirm several successful transplant surgeries. The groups confi rmed that Mikaela had saved two lives with the donation of her kidneys and restored sight to another two individuals.
“We got a letter that said one of her kidneys went to a man in his 60s,” Uchtman said. “It was a grandfather. He’s very excited to have more energy and stuff to play with his grandchildren. He said he is looking forward to meeting us at some point.”
Uchtman said the other kidney went to a man in his 20s who had suffered two failed transplants previously. “He had two previous failed attempts,” she said, “but this one took.”
Along with the two lifesaving procedures, Uchtman said her daughter’s donation restored sight for two men, one in his 60s and another in his 80s. While the age of the recipients surprised her at first, Uchtman said that older people who lose their vision often face overwhelming difficulties adjusting. “It’s like if you lose your sight, you lose everything,” she said.
Despite her untimely death, Mikaela’s life was inspirational in more ways than one. Uchtman said Mikaela was told early on in her schooling that due to problems with her brain chemistry, she would find traditional learning challenging or impossible. “She was in special education all through eighth grade,” Uchtman said. Despite these and other challenges, Mikaela nevertheless earned the title of valedictorian at Lustre Christian High School.
“Her goal was to make somebody else’s day,” Uchtman said, “even when she was in the hospital.” Uchtman said her daughter was generous with her time and energy and was known widely for her willingness to help. “She was awakened many times in the middle of the night to make meals and she absolutely adored to cook for anybody and everybody,” Uchtman said. “She was always just so very happy and always very welcoming.”
Mikaela’s memorial service was held July 30, at EMB Church in Lustre. “The community has been so great,” Uchtman said. “We were really blessed with lots of food and all the love and stories that we got from everybody. It was really great to hear such great things about her.”
Uchtman said that participating in the process of organ donation was a healing experience, despite her initial reluctance.
“ It’s really helped us as far as dealing with this horrendous loss,” she said, “to know that four other families are as happy as we are sad.”
Readers interested in becoming organ donors can opt in when renewing or obtaining a driver’s license or visit organdonor. gov or donatelifemt. org to sign up online. Call 877-275-5269 to request a printed brochure.
