Toni

I am a 12 year kidney transplant survivor.

I had no idea I had kidney disease until my ankles got swollen in 2005 and let's just say it went downhill from there. Hospital stays, dialysis and eventually receiving the gift of life from my dad all within a year sure was a whirlwind I never expected in my life.

For a long time I lived in a sort of denial about everything that happened. I didn't want to be known as a "patient". I was scared of getting sick again but I wasn't doing all I could to prevent it either. If it happened once out of the blue then what could I do right? Well I was wrong!

When I was coming up on my 10 year kidney transplant anniversary I decided to make a lifestyle change and become the healthiest version of myself that I could be.

I started eating better, following an exercise program and turning my situation into something that could help and inspire others. I want to help others to be the healthiest versions of themselves. I want them to feel good everyday and have energy to do everything they want to do and to learn to love themselves no matter their situation.

Some things in life we can control and others we can't. I will continue to GET LOUD for kidney disease awareness so that everyone understands the importance of staying healthy and protecting the body we were given.