by Aundrea Cline-Thomas
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- David "Andy" Dyer had cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder.
"People called him special," his mother Tara Dyer said. "But unless you knew him you didn't really know how special he was."
In his 18 years his family says he was always generous, especially when it came to matters of the heart
"I just remember being kids, running around the yard with him when he could still walk," sister Kelsee recounts.
"(He would) flirt with our friends," other sister Kaylee Dyer fondly remembers. "Get one of them in a headlock (and) give them a big ole kiss."
"Andy gave so much during his life we thought through his death if he continued to give that would be good," father David Dyer said.
The journey of life, in this case connected families from Knoxville and Jackson, Tennessee
"I had congestive heart failure," donor recipient Kristin Freeman explained. "I spent the week at Vanderbilt. They put me on a transplant list. Apparently my heart was only functioning at 10 percent."
It was at the same time that David and Tara Dyer were making the difficult decision to donate Andy's organs. Andy's heart was a perfect match for Freeman who went into surgery shortly after being placed on the list. One year later she met the family who saved her life thanks to Tennessee Donor Services.
The nervous energy was palatable as the door opened and Kristen Freeman and her husband Clifford met Tara and Dave Dyer. No words were spoken at first, only tears flowed as they embraced.
"Thank you, thank you. That sums it up," Freeman said about the message she had for the Dyer's.
"I think we made the right decision," Kaylee said. "I know (Andy's) proud of us as much as we are of him."
Both families stressed the importance of organ donation. For more information on how you can help save a life visit www. TnDonorRegistry.org
