James Sivell
A marathon effort for Kidney Research
Fundraising for Kidney Research UK
Story
Thanks for visiting my page and supporting me in this “marathon” effort to try and raise money for Kidney Research.
Those who know me well, know how much this opportunity means to me and the reasons behind my connection to this charity. For those who don’t, here’s my story...
In August 1990, at just 3 and a half years old, I was taken ill on a family holiday in Somerset and admitted into hospital with what was found to be ‘Nephrotic Syndrome’, a very rare kidney disorder.
The resulting near 3 months of treatment (including many different drugs and a bout of chemotherapy) lead to several further life threatening challenges, including near complete kidney failure. After being transferred to Guys hospital in London and initially reacting well to treatment I was discharged, but no sooner had I arrived home, I was re-admitted to hospital with severe head pains and my kidneys were again beginning to shut down. It was upon this further consultation that 2 blood clots were discovered on my brain, causing me to have suffered a severe stroke, which to this point, had gone completely unnoticed. The results of this, soon lead to me being completely paralysed down the entire left hand side of my body. It’s fair to say; I was being hit with everything at once.
What followed was an intense 13 week period. Where I had to deal with many more frightening complications along the road to recovery, things that I am still only finding out about today. Thankfully I was too young to realise the severity of the situation at the time and I now relive a lot of this though the stories of my parents and family (this is very much the short version). It's only as I’ve grown older that I have realised how lucky I am to have made a near full recovery and had the chance to reflect on the route my life (or lack of) could have taken - this also probably goes someway to explaining why I’m so obsessed with fitness and healthy living now.
Without the help of the doctors and nurses at all 3 hospitals (Somerset, Bristol and Guys), Ronald McDonald house, the Kidney Foundation, friends, family and all those people from across the LFB who helped me at any stage, I honestly don’t know if I’d be here to do this today. The small, insignificant issues I suffer as a result of this horrible experience are nothing compared to the potential list of what if’s…
It’s impossible for me to give individual thanks to each person that helped me and my family pull through this nightmare and thats where I’m hoping you can help. By sponsoring me even the smallest amount, together, we can raise money for a foundation thats very close to my heart; Kidney Research. The money we raise can help them to continue providing the best treatment and support for anyone unfortunate enough to go through something similar and hopefully, we can give them the best chances at living a normal, healthy life. Like me.
Those who know me well, know how much this opportunity means to me and the reasons behind my connection to this charity. For those who don’t, here’s my story...
In August 1990, at just 3 and a half years old, I was taken ill on a family holiday in Somerset and admitted into hospital with what was found to be ‘Nephrotic Syndrome’, a very rare kidney disorder.
The resulting near 3 months of treatment (including many different drugs and a bout of chemotherapy) lead to several further life threatening challenges, including near complete kidney failure. After being transferred to Guys hospital in London and initially reacting well to treatment I was discharged, but no sooner had I arrived home, I was re-admitted to hospital with severe head pains and my kidneys were again beginning to shut down. It was upon this further consultation that 2 blood clots were discovered on my brain, causing me to have suffered a severe stroke, which to this point, had gone completely unnoticed. The results of this, soon lead to me being completely paralysed down the entire left hand side of my body. It’s fair to say; I was being hit with everything at once.
What followed was an intense 13 week period. Where I had to deal with many more frightening complications along the road to recovery, things that I am still only finding out about today. Thankfully I was too young to realise the severity of the situation at the time and I now relive a lot of this though the stories of my parents and family (this is very much the short version). It's only as I’ve grown older that I have realised how lucky I am to have made a near full recovery and had the chance to reflect on the route my life (or lack of) could have taken - this also probably goes someway to explaining why I’m so obsessed with fitness and healthy living now.
Without the help of the doctors and nurses at all 3 hospitals (Somerset, Bristol and Guys), Ronald McDonald house, the Kidney Foundation, friends, family and all those people from across the LFB who helped me at any stage, I honestly don’t know if I’d be here to do this today. The small, insignificant issues I suffer as a result of this horrible experience are nothing compared to the potential list of what if’s…
It’s impossible for me to give individual thanks to each person that helped me and my family pull through this nightmare and thats where I’m hoping you can help. By sponsoring me even the smallest amount, together, we can raise money for a foundation thats very close to my heart; Kidney Research. The money we raise can help them to continue providing the best treatment and support for anyone unfortunate enough to go through something similar and hopefully, we can give them the best chances at living a normal, healthy life. Like me.