Pablo's Kidney Appeal (donor update)

I am Pablo, 13 was born with chronic kidney disease, to a loving Mum and Dad. Unfortunately, when I was 2 years old my Dad passed away with cancer.

Doctors realised that I had a kidney disease when my Mum was 4 months pregnant. It was difficult for her. Even when my Mum was 7 months pregnant she was asked to consider termination of the pregnancy.

ps: Thank you to everyone who is choosing to support us in this challenging time. We would like you to know that apart from when I was poorly, my Mum always worked and provided for our family. My condition deteriorated since covid. As a result, Mum have more responsibilities such as doing my dialysis, cold-calling and meeting several organisations to help me find a donor. We are an honest hard-working family going through very difficult times.

Thank you in advance for your support, It is truly appreciated and every little helps to pay essential bills, create an environment with more comfort to help me overcome this condition, to develop a working-from-home position that enables Mum to work and provide for us simultaneously and be my my carer .

My mum who is my sole Carer, is a woman of faith; she decided to go against the advice and choose 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, post- natal depression my mum could hardly sleep because she was so scared that my heart would stop while she was asleep.

My mum had to undergo 2 operations while she was pregnant to keep me alive. Despite everything: I was born a happy chubby baby with a healthy weight despite doctor’s concerns.

I had to attend regular hospital appointments as my kidney function was consistently up and down. My parents did the best they could to ensure that I experienced a happy childhood. I was encouraged to see my disease not as a limitation but as a reason to be motivated and productive in life.

Losing my Dad when I was 2; had a significant impact on my confidence. I went from being an extroverted bubbly boy always smiling; into a quieter and more reserved person. However, I did not lose my joy for living!

By the time I started primary school my kidney function stabilised and I was finally able to participate in more fun and energetic activities. I started to practice karate at age 5. My mum felt that it would help me regain my confidence and it would be good to teach me leadership skills and discipline. I was very good at it, I even won some individual and team medals and trophies. I was the captain of my team in some karate competitions in the UK.

I was encouraged by mum to express my creativity and learn to play instruments. I therefore learned to play the ukulele, drums and I am currently learning to play the piano. I am encouraged to socialise and learn with people of all backgrounds and I am a member of my local scouts’ group.I spent some summers in Portugal where I learnt to speak Portuguese. Furthermore, some holidays with my dad’s family in Italy. My Italian uncles taught me to swim and to speak Italian therefore I am multilingual and a confident swimmer.

Despite everything I have been through; my family have been doing their best to ensure that I experience a happy, fun, healthy and balanced childhood.

Unfortunately, in March 2020 I contracted Covid and became very unwell. I missed doing the activities I loved and enjoyed and I was bullied at school. My kidneys have now completely failed and I have dialysis treatment 3 times a day. I take 17 tablets daily.

I now simply wish to return to my extracurricular activities; I wish for my confidence to return and I wish to not be so tired with dialysis.

A new kidney would help me to move forward to the happy, sociable, creative boy I have been who has been committed to live a fun, productive and fulfilling life spite of the kidney disease. It will help me to move forward into a boy with a lot of drive and committed to be succeed in education; contribute to society and thrive despite significant adversities. I wish to have a successful kidney transplant. I have been waiting a long time on the National Waiting List and this is why I am now appealing to you.

You may not know a lot about living kidney donation however if you would consider donating a kidney to me or you would like to know more information please do the following: [email redacted].uk

Your support in this challenging period of my life will help for the following;

1.paint/decorate my room

2. extra curricular activities to rebuild my confidence

3. Transport requirements for dialysis equipment, and appointments, collect me from school when I am unwell

to pay essential bills

school related resources

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