Lifelines to Our Future

I stood tall as I felt the cold tape measure run down the center of my spine. Mom said, “15 inches.” This was definitely not something I would wish another...

Angels Among Us

My body was starting to wake up from the anesthesia. It didn’t take but a second to realize something was different from previous surgeries. I looked up quickly to notice...

The Bloody Truth

It was several years after my transplant as I sat in a lecture at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with a room full of med students. I looked up...

Zip On

“Brakes set for Valen. Brakes set for Valen,” said one of our zip-lining tour guides from his walkie-talkie. He was standing on a platform way off in the distance, which...

Thankful to Have PKD

As I proudly held the microphone and looked out at the crowd of Denver Walk for PKD participants, I asked, “Those of you with PKD, please step forward.” I watched...