Dear reader,
Life is unpredictable and full of surprises. You never know what's in store for you. Sometimes, the challenges that come your way can be overwhelming, and it might feel like giving up is the only option. But let me tell you, giving up should never be an option. Instead, it's essential to rise above your struggles and overcome them.
This is what I have tried to do in the last ten years. After battling with kidney disease for the better part of a decade, I received a kidney transplant in March of 2020. This was undoubtedly a significant life event that required a lot of courage and strength to go through.
Thankfully, I was able to rely on the love and support from family and friends for the strength to get through this trying time.
However, my journey was far from over. In December of 2021, I had to face a new challenge - COVID-19. I contracted the virus and due to having a compromised immune system from the transplant, I had to be hospitalized for two months. During this time, I spent two weeks in a coma and was intubated. This experience was terrifying and challenging for me and my loved ones. The news were not good and expectations were extremely low that I would survive.
But, once again, with love, support and divine grace, I was able to fight through it and come out stronger. Despite all my blessings and small victories, my struggles did not end there. I continued to face health issues, including severe leg nerve damage and drop foot from being in a coma. But instead of losing hope, I worked hard to recover from these issues. I have been continuing to build strength and conditioning to overcome these physical limitations and continue to progress towards a healthier life.
This journey so far has been filled with highs and lows, but the important thing is to never give up. I have faced challenges head-on and have come out stronger every time. My experience has taught me that life is all about how you deal with challenges. You can either let them defeat you or rise above them and come out stronger.
So if you are facing challenges in your life, I hope you can find some inspiration from this story. Remember that no matter how hard the road may seem, you have the strength within you to overcome it. Keep pushing through and never give up, and you will eventually come out stronger on the other side.
In conclusion, I remain humbled and blessed. I hope that in any small way my journey is a testament to the fact that with the help and love of others, perseverance and determination can overcome any obstacle. My story and so many others are a reminder that life may throw you curveballs, but it's up to you to keep swinging. Keep pushing through and never give up, and you'll be amazed at what you can achieve. -Raf B.