Kidney Failure to Ironman

I was 11 years old in February 2008, when I unfortunately and suddenly was diagnosed with acute renal failure - my kidneys had stopped working. I was immediately transported to Starship Children’s Hospital where I was taken directly into surgery and placed on dialysis.

During my time in the hospital, I was mostly unconscious as my body attempted to fight the failure. My mum slept on a dollar bed beside me as we watched my health deteriorate. Miraculously, after 2 months, I began to improve! Although my future always looked tainted my the organ failure.

I refused to let it hold me back, refused to be stopped by this event. I am now competing in the Ironman 70.3 in honour of my 11 year old self, and all other kids battling current and past kidney struggles.

Life wasn’t over for me, and with the help from Kidney Kids NZ - life won’t be over for others as well.