Looking back on my childhood I can only remember being poorly, having a sleepover at my friend's house. I would usually get sick in the night and would have to find the nearest doctor because I was poorly. I missed out on so much of my school years.

Then one day, I remember waking up in a strange place with my dad by my side, he told me I was in hospital and that I had been very poorly. I later found out that I had collapsed at home and stopped breathing.

My mum saved my life, after several tests I was diagnosed with kidney failure and I remember spending more time at the children’s ward than I did at home, the staff did anything they could to make us smile and help us through the bad times and there was a lot!

It was difficult learning about dialysis and realising I needed a machine to keep me alive, as well as learning the strict diet and fluid restrictions, which is typically just 1 litre of fluid a day and includes things like sauces, ice cream and fruit.

Since then, I’ve been on and off dialysis for over 20 years and I’ve had 4 kidney transplants. My life has been one big rollercoaster but I’ve always stayed positive and concentrated on all the good in my life despite some extremely difficult times.

My first kidney transplant was removed after a few days, my second transplant enabled me to get a job which I adored, and I met some of my best friends during that time. I was able to live a normal life and it was just incredible, however after five years, I became very poorly with pneumonia and lost my transplanted kidney.

I had my third transplant in my 20’s which I had for ten wonderful years, I travelled abroad which I’d never been able to do before, I got married, (I remember being at a clinic appointment with my parents in my early teens and the doctor told us that I would never be able to have children and I was put on growth hormone to help me develop) but the day came that I found out I was pregnant! I was so overwhelmed with happiness it was a miracle. I was blessed with two beautiful children who are my world, I felt like I was born to be a mother and loved every second of it.

Unfortunately, I got chickenpox which can be very dangerous for a transplant patient and I lost my kidney. Devastated doesn’t come close! My whole world was turned upside down and inside out.

The next few years were the hardest of my life, I became depressed after having such a happy life and now couldn’t do anything with my children.

Thankfully my consultant could see I was struggling and got me the support I needed which helped me be the best person I could while managing my condition.

Waiting for my fourth transplant felt like a lifetime, it took 8 years! I was told that I only matched 15% of the population, but I never lost hope.

I will never forget the moment I got the call, we were on the morning school run, and I was nervous as we had to wait for confirmation of the match from my blood test results, thankfully it was a match. I had a few ups and downs for a while but I didn’t need dialysis which was amazing.

Having had this condition from being so young it’s all I’ve ever known and despite everything I’ve been through I’ve also learned so much about life and how to cherish every moment and be thankful for all the good things, seeing the funny side of things is the way to live.

Putting your life in other people's hands and trusting them when you have no choice is a big deal but it also shows you how amazing people can be, the other patients become a second family and the support they give you is a lifeline. The staff go above and beyond to make sure you are happy and informed; they really care about you. I remember being very poorly after surgery and the staff couldn’t get me on the machine, I was crying for a nurse I knew and even though it was her day off she came in at 5am to comfort me and put me on dialysis. This condition can be so hard to live with but if you look around you there is all the love and support you could ask for.

Having a kidney transplant and trying to explain how it changes your life and what it means is something I could never put into words. It honestly is the gift of life!

To be given the freedom from dialysis, to feel stronger and healthier, and no more strict diets and fluid restrictions, you feel alive and not like you’re just surviving.

I hope sharing my story helps people understand what being an organ donor can do for someone like myself, not just me but you can save several lives like mine and help us really live again. Thanks for reading my story.