Charles Butler: Double Lung Recipient,
Member of Team Wisconsin
When I was 32 years old teaching in a classroom, I started coughing and gagging which lasted for approximately 45 minutes. I went to see my primary care provider who recommended I see a pulmonary physician asap. After six months of being treated for asthma, I had a biopsy at which time I was diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. I was treated with medication and inhalers but continued to experience the same symptoms.
Over a period of years, I developed pneumonia requiring hospitalization several times. I was on oxygen for 1.5 years and after three medical opinions, it was determined that I should consider looking into lung transplant. I underwent a series of tests and once cleared I was accepted into the lung transplant program at Froedtert. I was listed 10/16/12 and received my double lung transplant on 6/27/13. I will be forever grateful for my donor’s family for giving me the gift of life.
A New Opportunity
While attending a support group meeting, my friend, Ed, was talking about the Transplant Games of America that he attended in Madison, WI. That piqued my interest in attending. I reached out to Jim Brien, who was the Team WI manager. I decided I would like to attend the next games which were being held in Salt Lake City in 2018. I reached out to my friend, Ashley, who is also a lung transplant recipient and we decided to go together.
Our first day arriving at the convention center was both very exciting and overwhelming. We were among so very many people who had journeyed to participate and whom we had so much in common with. The opening ceremony was absolutely electric! It was literally like the Olympics, including the torch lighting of the caldron. Ashley and I competed in corn hole and won a silver metal. It was so much fun and my first medal! We also participated in the Guiness World Record for the largest gathering of transplant recipients in one place.
The 2020 games were cancelled due to COVID, but we were able to participate in some events virtually. In 2022 we were back on and in San Diego! What a beautiful place! This time I medaled in corn hole (silver) and in mixed doubles bowling (bronze), with Ashley. Team WI was building not only momentum, but real comradery and we were very excited to meet again in 2024 in Birmingham, AL. The city welcomed us with so many signs of encouragement, including many displays at the airport. The games were well attended by Team WI and we spent a lot of time bonding and eating great food! This time around I scored 3 metals, gold in mixed doubles corn hole, gold in mixed doubles bowling (both with my friend Stacie (heard recipient) and as silver in basketball with team WI.
