On October 1, 2023, we found out our 13-year-old son, Nelson Daniel, was at Stage 3 chronic kidney disease. We had no warning signs or knowledge from his yearly checkups with his pediatrician.  I had just changed jobs, so I had no vacation or sick time. He was in the hospital for a week before he was scheduled for a cystoscopy. On October 19, 2023, we were told he was born with a narrow urethra. The damage to his kidneys was irreversible. 

Over the next year, there were so many trips to the emergency room and nephrology appointments.  In March of 2024, Nelson became septic from a UTI and we spent another week in the hospital. As he became weaker at Stage 4 chronic kidney failure, he was unable to attend school because he had to be catheterized four times a day due to an condition characterized as “lazy” bladder and he experienced severe pain in his lower back. Thankfully, I found a job that showed compassion and let me take care of him without fear of losing my job. His older sister, Lola, worked hard while attending her senior year of high school to help pay bills rather than being able to save for things she needed.  Nelson was denied three times for disability including while he was on dialysis!  I stopped trying because mentally, I was about to breakdown.  I was focused on taking care of my baby boy.  Nelson’s big sister is now a freshman in community college and his older brother, Elliott, is now a senior in high school. They have always doted over their little brother, so seeing him endure so much pain has been devastating and traumatic for them.  It was at End Stage kidney disease Nelson began emergency hemodialysis treatments that caused him to lose consciousness regularly and within two weeks, he began home dialysis (peritoneal) therapy in May 2025, with me, Mom, as his primary caregiver. The treatments were nine hours every single night and took a toll on Nelson mentally, physically and emotionally. 

 On August 31, 2025, it was through the kindness of a stranger he will never meet that our prayers were answered.  In September he celebrated his 15th birthday with a new kidney.  Nelson is recovering so well, but now we need help because over the course of 22 months and 29 days, we have fallen into extreme financial hardship.  His follow-up care requires us to travel to Vanderbilt weekly, which is 200 miles round trip. Anything you donate would be greatly appreciated and used to improve Nelson’s quality of life until I can return to my job full time.  Currently, any time away from my job is unpaid. May God continue to bless you and lives of those children you love!

Sincerely,

Ira Rogers