In this episode of I'm in Control, I share personal stories from my teenage years, detailing my experiences with kidney disease and how it impacted my everyday life. From attending Catholic Ladies College in Eltham to discovering my kidney had only 20% function at 16, I faced major medical challenges, including surgeries and bladder reconstruction. I reflect on the emotional toll of living with a permanent catheter, coping with the stigma of invisible disabilities, and the difficult decisions I had to make at such a young age. This episode captures the resilience and determination I needed to face these obstacles, as well as the importance of not letting a diagnosis define me.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Attending Catholic Ladies College and the impact of primary school bullying

01:17 - Getting my first job at Bakers Delight

02:55 - The significance of getting my learner’s permit

05:35 - Discovering my kidney had only 20% function at age 16

06:44 - Bladder complications and the introduction of a permanent catheter

09:27 - Coping with fashion limitations and invisible disabilities

11:17 - Major bladder reconstruction surgery at 17

15:20 - Navigating year 12 and the decision to take a year off school

18:10 - Meeting my future husband during this challenging time

24:30 - Traveling to Bali with 15% kidney function and the first experience abroad

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