At the age of 15 my health started to deteriorate and by the age of 20 I had my left kidney removed. I managed to live a fulfilled life for 30 years except the doctors said I could never have a family because of my renal condition.

At this time in my life I adopted two children aged five and seven years. My health remained stable until I began to have more renal symptoms and I ended up on dialysis.

I had home haemodialysis for approximately eight years until I began to reject all forms of dialysis and ended up in hospital for nearly a year (so that I could be evaluated each day).

By the end of the year I had become sicker and was dialysed more regularly. I knew that my time was coming to an end and I had no promise of a transplant. I knew it would be a miracle to receive a new kidney.

My family could not donate for various reasons and then my adopted son came forward and the doctors found he was a match. I did not believe in fate until that moment. I feel that adopting my children was meant to be. It is 10 years since my transplant and I thank my son everyday for his greatest gift to me.

Anne