The Four Year Journey Of Waiting For A Kidney Donation

This Thing Called Life

The Four Year Journey Of Waiting For A Kidney Donation

In today’s episode we want to introduce you to Carmelita C Jones. Carmelita discusses how she dealt with the realities of kidney failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, adulting, and why it is important for her to be an advocate for her circumstances. By understanding the real struggles of kidney disease and the symptoms associated she hopes to help the next generation avoid long term damage to the kidneys and help them live a better and healthier life!

Episode Highlights:

• Carmelita Jones shares her story of needing a kidney transplant and her passion for giving and loving others
• She shares about career changes and medical challenges after a car accident
• She talks about her diagnosis and treatment options for Kidney Failure.
• Life before the accident, Carmelita knew she had diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Carmelita discusses diabetes, the organ transplant waitlist, and the black community.
• “Make better choices, eat to live, not just live to eat.”
• She points out the importance of teaching the next generation about nutritional value because they risk making the same mistakes as the past generation.
• There is a rise in children being diagnosed with diabetes at a much younger ages.
• There are more organizations to help with better nutrition, such as fresh fruits and vegetables in grocery stores, cooking classes, community gardens, etc. that could help with the problem.
• Carmelita describes her dialysis routine, including early morning appointments and time spent in the bathroom. She also describes how COVID-19 affected her financial situation.
• Carmelita shares her struggles with kidney disease and the impact on her daily life, including the importance of regular dialysis treatments and the need for a kidney transplant
• Carmelita advocates for normalizing conversations about mental health and wellness in the black community, emphasizing the importance of being open and honest about one's struggles.
• She reflects on the importance of a supportive tribe in navigating adulting and its challenges.
• She provides contact information for those interested in learning more or donating, emphasizing the anonymous process and the positive impact on donors' lives.

3 Key Points:

1. Carmelita Jones shares the reality of having Kidney Failure and how she found it out after an accident. She also shares that prior to the accident, she knew she was diabetic and had high blood pressure.
2. Carmelita discusses a brief connection of the african american history and how we pass on the generational curse of bad choices when it comes to our health.
3. Carmelita advocates for normalizing conversations about mental health and wellness in the black community, emphasizing the importance of being open and honest about one's struggles

Tweetable Quotes:

• “High blood pressure is another major factor. Not to specify one particular group, but you know, African Americans suffer from high blood pressure because of our history literally on slave boats.” - Carmelita Jones
• “We need to teach our children first and foremost. So we don't give them our bad habits.” - Carmelita Jones
• “If you look at obesity, and our young people, it's off the charts. It's ridiculous. And it's because they're following our habit.” - Carmelita Jones
• “Adulting is hard. It requires so much patience. And a lot of times we take that time to take care of ourselves.” - Carmelita Jones

Resources:

https://lifepassiton.org/

https://lifepassiton.org/board-of-directors-leadership/

https://www.facebook.com/LifeCenterOH

https://www.youtube.com/user/LifeCenterOH

https://aopo.org/

Christ hospital call Bree @ 513-585-1427 for answers to any questions about the process of kidney donation for Carmelita

Facebook: Carmelita C. Jones - https://www.facebook.com/carmelita.c.jones