Navigating kidney disease is not just a physical challenge but an emotional one as well. David's life took an unexpected turn following his diagnosis. He had to reduce his work hours and eventually stop working altogether. It's a path that many with kidney disease find themselves on, one that is marked by confusion and isolation.

As we know, those living with kidney disease are sometimes something of a forgotten community. This is mainly due to the significant amount of time they spend receiving treatment, such as dialysis, which can take over 20 hours per week. In addition, many kidney patients have complex medical and social needs, including housing and employment, which can result in their exclusion from mainstream work and social settings.

The impact on David's health, both physically and mentally, significantly affected his and his family's lifestyle. Understanding the changes in his body, and managing hospital appointments, treatments, diet, wellness, and energy levels was daunting.

David got in touch with Brian, the Kidney Society’s dedicated Community Health Educator who provided valuable support and resources over the phone, and through home visits.

“Being able to talk to someone who could explain in more detail things like my blood test results and sharing things like the ‘Know Your Kidney Numbers’ form was very helpful. Brian was able to both provide information and talk to me in a way that was easy to understand.” 

At the Kidney Society, we've had the privilege of supporting over 3,000 individuals living with kidney disease. We understand the impact this condition has on every aspect of life, and we offer services to help individuals make informed decisions about treatment options, manage dialysis, and help them have the best quality of life available to them. Brian worked closely with David to help him make decisions about his treatment. He also introduced David to our Wellness Programme, where he could safely reintroduce exercise into his life.