Life for Anthony Stokes has taken a lot of twists and turns, most of which have been terrifying and tragic. The Georgia teen had to receive a heart transplant at just 15 years old, but he was first denied the life-saving procedure because of his bad behavior. Two years later, that same defiant attitude would come between life and death for the boy, this time with a far less favorable outcome.
He was initially denied a spot on the organ waiting list because his behavior indicated he was “non-compliant,” meaning he was at great risk for not following the medication regimen after the procedure, ultimately letting the prized part many wait to receive, go to waste, when there could be someone who takes the gift more seriously. But Stokes’ mother, Melencia Hamilton, said at the time that her son was being targeted because doctors had stereotyped him as a troubled teen, due to his low grades and brushes with the law. But in actuality, Stokes had a history of not taking his medication, which is why physicians deemed him as “non-compliant.”
The teen got his new heart in 2013 regardless of the title, after a lot of media pressure and demands from civil rights groups came down hard on the hospital.
After receiving his heart, Stokes said he was excited about the transplant. “So I can live a second chance. Get a second chance and do things I want to do,” he said, WSB-TV reported.
Unfortunately, those things he did were not good, and he met his fate for his poor decisions. He had the world in the palm of his hand, a bright future ahead of him, and a fresh perspective to seize the day and life’s opportunities. But he chose the criminal route instead and paid the price. One can only wonder who didn’t get the heart Stokes got, and what became of their life after not being the lucky recipient.