“Obtaining
the diagnosis from the nephrologist that I had kidney disease and would require
dialysis almost immediately was truly devastating. The diagnosis would have
been even more difficult if I did not know about the treatment options
available to me. The "up" side, if there was one, was that I could
still make the decision, health-wise, that was right for me. I felt I had
control over the situation and was not completely helpless or hopeless.” -Margie
“I developed kidney failure when I was a teenager. I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease at such a young age, it was difficult to understand. My challenges were lack of knowledge and the loneliness that comes with kidney disease.
I became a peer mentor because I wanted young people to know that there are others on their side. I know what it's like to feel "different" and just because I have kidney disease, it doesn't have me.”
-Nicole
“At
first kidney disease and dialysis became my whole life. Now thanks to a new
Doc, research and education, it is only a small necessary part of my daily
living. I learned there were choices and alternatives in how I could again live
my life.”
-Fred
“Patients that are allowed and encouraged to be a part of the decisions
concerning their medical care might feel more empowered and in control in an
otherwise difficult situation”
-Delma