Faces of the Games
TYLER HARRALD, 6
Kansas City, Missouri
The excitement and joy accompanying the birth of a child is always tinged with apprehension, until the parents know that their new baby is healthy. When the Harralds learned that their newborn, Tyler, suffered from a blocked colon that required immediate surgery, fear and worry mounted. Following a successful procedure, the Harralds took Tyler to a follow up appointment, where concern for their child’s health took on new dimensions. More tests would have to be run to uncover the source of what Tyler’s surgeon believed to be jaundice. Liver disease was diagnosed. Following several unsuccessful treatments, the Harralds learned that tiny Tyler would need a liver transplant.
Georgette Harrald, Tyler’s mother, immediately underwent testing to become Tyler’s live donor. However, shortly after the testing began, she received more bad news. Doctors discovered that Georgette had skin cancer, which made her an unsuitable organ donor. Tyler’s name went on the waiting list for a new organ and the Harralds began their vigil, hoping that a liver would be found in time.
Four and a half months later, Tyler received his transplant, a gift of life from the grieving family of a 4 ½ -year-old girl who died in a car accident. Tyler recovered from the surgery and was home from the hospital in time to celebrate his first birthday. Tyler has responded extremely well to his transplant and attended his first National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games in 2004 where he won a bronze medal in bowling. In 2005, Tyler attended the World Games where he won more medals including several gold for swimming, bowling, and track and field events.
This June Tyler will attend the National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games in Louisville where he hopes to win more gold and celebrate with the thousands of other athletes attending, his second chance at life.
