January 9, 2009
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When is a Gift Not a Gift?
Answer: When the giver wants it back.
But can this gift actually be returned?
A New York doctor who gave his wife a kidney is suing her for $1.5 million — or the return of the vital organ — after he says she cheated on him with a physical therapist.
Richard Batista, 49, is demanding the sum in the middle of a messy divorce with his now-estranged wife, who suffered kidney ailments for years before the transplant.
The Long Island surgeon said he gave the gift of life to his wife in 2001, but things turned sour just two years later while she was recovering from a karate injury, the New York Post reported.
His wife, 44-year-old Dawnell Batista, had an affair with her physical therapist in 2003, he said. She recovered from the knee injury, but he says her low blow has him all out of joint
."I saved her life and then to be betrayed like this is unfathomable. It's incomprehensible," he told the Post. "She engaged in an extramarital affair and refused to go to marital counseling and reconciliation."
Two years after the affair began she filed for divorce, and Batista accuses her of trying to limit his access to their three children, ages 8, 11 and 14.
"She slapped me with divorce papers in the operating room while I was trying to save another patient's life," he told the Post.
Divorce attorney Dominic Barbara said this case was a first, and that he arranged for a medical expert to determine his client's kidney's worth.
"This has never been done before in the state of New York," Barbara said.
My Thoughts
EXACTLY
Comments (11)
I would think if it is the mother of you children you would just let it go no matter how she acts,it is to involved to pick apart.
I read this the other day. I just don't think he can ask for the thing back. i feel for him, but really.... it's a crazy world.
@seedsower - @MooncatBlue - I think that the man knows that there is no chance that any court would order the kidney returned. Instead, he is researching the "worth" of the kidney and thinks that 1.5 million would cover his "loss". Oh, my!!!
That is so ridiculous....and scandalous.
On another matter, it's so nice to see you back. I've missed you! How are you feeling now?
@PaulsShar - I'm feeling much, much better. Thanks for asking. I asked Santa for a 30 hour day but it was a no go... too many complaints from the rest of humanity especially the mums with toddlers. lol
My mother saw this news piece on a Spanish network and my parents were colorful in their language when describing their disgust. Whether the wife was less than perfect is unfortunate obviously, but to ask for an organ back? -_-
Good Grief! What will people think of to sue over next? geez...
No rays, it's been raining, and not just sprinkling but torrential down pours (very unusual for us) and I the cold is on it's way so perhaps that will mean warmer days for all of you!
RYC: That would be my fear it usually does the same here. Yuck!
Aw heck...I think he should get the organ back and she should charge him for rent and upkeep, being that her body kept it going for 2 years.
A gift, no matter how big or small, is just that; a gift. How petty to demand it back, regardless of the situation. If she went and screwed up (literally), then poo on her. But don't lower yourself to her level by demanding the kidney back.
Comments are closed.