This is a post in the weekly Autism Hopes series by Lisa Quinones-Fontanez, a mom who blogs over at Atypical Familia.
Kinsey Saleh was like any other feisty 5-year old girl who liked playing with her friends after school and eating ice cream. However, Kinsey’s mother, Nadine Morsi, said she knew “something was wrong” when Kinsey started experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue, decreased energy and unexplained bruising. When Kinsey complained of joint pain in her knees, Morsi insisted on a blood test. Both the doctor and Morsi were shocked when the test revealed Kinsey had developed a rare case of end-stage kidney failure. Kinsey’s condition was so critical, doctors feared the 5 year-old would suffer from a stroke or go into cardiac arrest.
Instead of playdates and ice cream, Kinsey’s childhood afternoons consisted of doctor’s appointments and dialysis. Kinsey needed a kidney transplant and was put on a waiting list. Kinsey’s mother, while a perfect match, was unable to donate due to congenital clotting disorder that made surgery risky. “I felt helpless,” Morsi said.
“I became a special needs mom overnight,” Morsi said. As a pediatric occupational therapist for the New York City Department of Education, Morsi was aware of the assistance her child could receive. Kinsey was able to attend school with the assistance of a full-time health paraprofessional.
Morsi admitted to wanting to keep Kinsey’s diagnosis a secret. But a close friend insisted Morsi share their desperate search for a kidney donor. Kinsey’s story was shared throughout Facebook and she quickly captured the attention of local media.
Morsi has used her experience to raise awareness and help others. Every day 13 people die waiting for a kidney. “We can all live on one kidney…please share your spare if you can,” Morsi urges.
Last month, nearly six months after her diagnosis, Kinsey received a kidney transplant. She is doing well and is gearing up for the 1st grade in September (without any special assistance). Kinsey can spend the remainder of the summer with outings to the park and the sweet promise of ice cream. Morsi is extremely grateful that her daughter has been given a second chance at a normal childhood. She recently shared: Every single day is truly a gift. Not a day goes by that Kinsey’s donor is not in our hearts for allowing her to be a kid again.
Keep up with Kinsey and her mom via Facebook - Kidney for Kinsey.
Catch up with my last post: How Not To Handle a Public Meltdown
And from my other blog:
- Why I Blog About My Autistic Kid
- The Pros and Cons of Summer When Your Kid Has Autism
- 12 Tips for Autism Families Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation
