LIFE EXPERIENCES
My Dad Gave Me Life Twice!
When I found out I needed to have a kidney transplant, I was 20 years old. Standing in my bedroom, I fell to the floor on my knees and absolutely sobbed.
I begged God (or whoever was in charge) to bring my kidneys back. I was adamantly against having a kidney transplant because I was struggling to wrap my head around the loss of both my legs. Adding a kidney transplant to what I had already survived felt soul-crushing. It just felt like too much for one person to handle.
It also made me realize that my health was everything, and at that moment, a transplant felt like a complete loss, not a path forward.
I remember thinking “This wasn’t supposed to be my life! I was supposed to travel and snowboard and live a full and happy life!”
Little did I know just how full, happy, and healthy my life would go on to be!
My Dad donated a kidney to me the same week as my 21st birthday. (He was almost a perfect match!)
I’m grateful and fortunate that my body accepted the kidney right away. His gift has not only allowed me to live a full life, but also a healthy life as a professional athlete. In fact, eventually, I became healthier than I was before my transplant!
My dad, literally, gave me life twice!
April is Organ Donation Month. My dad and I are celebrating 22 years. How amazing is that?!
Learning that there are certain things we cannot change is a lesson that life has taught me more than once. Struggling to accept a kidney transplant is just one example. It also taught me the power of self-acceptance.
Deep down, I knew that If I accepted this kidney mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually, then my body would accept it physically.
For many of us, accepting our lives and bodies is one of the hardest things we learn to do. Yet, acceptance can make all the difference in how we live our lives, how we talk to ourselves, and how we find happiness. The better we feel about our life, the better we can step into the world!
This is why I’ve created a LIVE online Self-Acceptance Workshop starting April 25th. I’ve scheduled a powerful and inspiring group of guests including Selma Blair, Lindsey Stirling, and Rachel Platten to create a transformational experience that will leave us all feeling a bit more loved.
If you’re interested in learning more, you will find all the details here: https://amypurdy.com/self-acceptance-workshop/
P.S: If you haven’t already, you can elect to become and organ donor by updating your donor status with the Department of Motor Vehicles. You never know whose life you might save!
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