"I dont want to live like this for much longer and I want to be treated as an equal to everyone else again"
My name is Pablo, I’m 13 years of age and I have mixed emotions regarding my life, some bad some good but I am still alive. I was born in 2010 with chronic kidney disease. Unfortunately, when I was 2 years old my dad passed away from liver cancer.
Doctors realised that I had kidney disease when my mum was 4 months pregnant with me. I was so poorly some doctors felt that I would die by the time my mum was 7 months pregnant.
My mum is a Christian and decided to proceed with my birth and chose to believe in my right to be alive. However, as the doctors predicted it was a very stressful pregnancy and my mum experienced high levels of anxiety, my mum said that she could hardly sleep because she was so scared that my heart would stop while she was asleep.
Despite the countless medical appointments my parents were looking forward to meeting me. I was born a happy chubby baby with a healthy weight despite doctor’s concerns.
Losing my dad impacted my confidence. I went from an extrovert, bubbly boy always smiling into a quiet and more reserved person. However, I did not lose my joy for living.
Despite chronic kidney disease I’ve lived a normal and active life from age 5 to 10. I became a karate brown belt at age 10 and finished primary school confident and secure in almost all subjects. Until 2020 I was thriving in many areas of life including my health and education.
Then COVID happened in March 2020, after contracting COVID I lost 10 kilos in 2 weeks. I developed breathing problems and had to start using an inhaler.
Since I contracted covid twice in 2020 my kidney function deteriorated drastically to the point that it’s almost a miracle that I am still alive. None of my 2 kidneys are working.
I am now at the last stages of kidney failure; I must have dialysis treatment 3 times a day. Furthermore, I must also take 17 tablets every day at age 13.
Additional daily treatments and medication have added a lot of stress on me. I gave up most of my activities, I completely lost the confidence to do it and after school I am so tired that I just want to go to bed and not do any extracurricular activities.
A new kidney would help me to return to the happy, sociable, creative boy I have been who has been committed to living a fun, productive and fulfilling life despite kidney disease. It will help me to move forward into a boy with a lot of drive and committed to be productive in education, contribute to society and thrive despite significant adversities.
Registering to donate a kidney or any organ is a simple process. Please CLICK HERE to read more.
