Nineteen year-old Neil Robinson was born with kidney failure and has been on dialysis since he was just two. Determined to live life to the full, he has been waiting for a kidney transplant all his life but meanwhile has to have dialysis in hospital three times a week.
Neil had an unsuccessful transplant in 1995 and has been put on urgent stand-by for a replacement kidney eight times. "I have antigens that make finding a donor match difficult. One of the worse things is watching other kids eating lots of food that I’m not allowed."
But Neil is a real battler and doesn’t let his condition get him down. At school he worked hard to keep up and, although a keen sports fan, he had to be careful when playing football or hockey because he has a tube in the side of his chest for connecting to the dialysis machine.
A talented musician, Neil plays tin whistle, keyboards, drums and many other instruments. In 2004 he recorded his own album of songs that inspired him. He also passed his driving test and is the proud owner of a silver Renault Clio.
"I do believe in God and believe there is hope for all of us waiting for the gift of life. I know in my heart that the next call could be it for me. In the meantime I’ll carry on as normal."
