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St. Cloud State University
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Diversions
Mother's book remembers
By Jay Corn
Published:
Thursday, November 13, 2003
The Lishinski family barely hesitated. When they were finally able to grasp the fact that their oldest daughter Jessica had tragically died, the next step was perhaps the easiest one they would take in their long painful healing process. Jessica, a former SCSU student, was killed in a freak accident while in-line skating on the shores of Lake Superior in Duluth in May 1999. As her family consoled one another at the hospital, doctors posed the question of organ donation.
"She is young," the doctors said, "she could save four or five lives through her death, but we have to act now." It was something Jessica and her mother had talked about several years earlier, and for the Lishinskis, it seemed like the right thing to do.
"Jessica and I had talked about organ donation when she was first getting her driver's license," Jessica's mother Ann said.
"After we finally realized what happened, there were no questions, and we acted right away. Thanks to Jessica, there are six healthy women alive today, and that is a real source of comfort for me."
It's been four and a half years now since Lishinski's death, but in that time, her family has worked to create something positive from the tragedy
Ann Lishinski and Jessica's sister Jaime collaborated on a book, assisted by friends and family. It's a children's book, complete with crayon illustrations and lessons on how to lead a virtuous life. The book, titled "Let Your Light Shine," tells the story of a young girl - Jessica - who used her talents and energy to make other people's lives better.
"My daughter Jaime actually is the one that made this all happen," Ann Lishinski said. "I had a rough draft of the book, and Jaime snuck out of the house with it and brought it to her art education class. She connected the book to a project she was working on, and expanded the illustrations on her own. She put everything together and gave it us for Christmas. She's really the one that made it happen."
While few presently on campus have met Jessica, some may recall the many stories she wrote for the University Chronicle during her time at SCSU.
Others may recall her sad story, or the well publicized fact that through her organs she had saved six lives. Through this newly released book, the Lishinski family hopes to achieve a twofold goal.
First, they want to set an example for the young readers the book is geared toward. They want to show how their Jessica came to be an active and contributory member of the school and local community, and how other youngsters can do the same.
Second, the issue of organ donation is addressed at the end of the book, primarily directed at parents and older readers. Through organ donation, the tragic loss of Jessica Lishinski spawned hope and life. No one wants to think of the actions they would take upon a loved one's death, but the idea of donating healthy organs is one that this book indirectly advocates.
After reading the book without any knowledge of its genesis, several SCSU students put the pieces together and wondered out loud if the book was some sort of dedication or tribute. When informed of the book's background, somber faces quickly replaced innocently lighthearted ones.
"That's the saddest thing I've heard all year," said sophomore Amanda Reese. "The book really does a good job in conveying to kids how to do things morally and at the same time fun. The photographs and crayon illustrations are eerily personal, and I give her family a lot of credit for exposing themselves to the world like this."
Jessica's mom has been in contact with several of her daughter's organ recipients. She's had regular correspondence with the heart and lung recipients, and plans to meet both of them, along with possibly a few others at the annual Transplant Games to be held at the University of Minnesota in late July.
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