Interesting experience reported by this former JW on blood shows the deep and lasting impact of the WTS campaign of indoctrination and misinformation. It also shows that people can be and are being helped.
"Hi everyone at AJWRB. I came by to your page to say thanks and to share
my story:
I was raised a JW since age 7, after I went to live with my grandparents
following the emigration of my parents. I 'faded' from the organization
about 20 years ago, after my dissatisfaction with how the congregation
elders repeatedly covered up the infidelities of my husband. When I
found out the facts I moved to a new town, filed for divorce, and never
went to another meeting. Nevertheless, the teachings of the JW continued
to significantly influence my beliefs and lifestyle choices. For
example, I continued to argue against blood transfusions, and frequently
parroted the viewpoint that Ringer's solution and non-blood volume
expanders are adequate substitutes in the majority of cases.
About two years ago I came across the website run by AJWRB and started
to reconsider my views. In particular, I was struck by how the JW
organization arbitrarily refused some blood components but accepted
others. Little did I know that this information would save my life.
A couple of weeks ago I was hospitalized because I had been hemorrhaging
severely and my blood count was critically low. The doctors told me
that I had to have a transfusion immediately while I was being prepped
for surgery. To be honest, I still had a major attack of conscience as I
watched the blood dripping into my veins. One thought that kept
resonating in my mind, however, was that a blood transfusion was a
'tissue transplant'; I was not "feeding on blood" as I had been taught
so many years ago.
I am not sure that I would have refused blood if I did not have prior
access to the information you have been disseminating. However, I do
know that you made it easier for me to have the life-saving treatment
that I needed."
AJWRB Facebook Page