Zoe Buchanan
Zoe's World Transplant Games Argentina 2015 page
Fundraising for Transplant Sport UK
Story
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Hello, My name is Zoe Buchanan. I am 19 years old and i currently live in the Shetland Isles, I live with my Mum and step dad and younger brother in Lerwick.
I was born weighing only 3 pounds and 13 ounces and was diagnosed with Russell Silver Syndrome. Russell Silver Syndrome affects my growth, Mobility and asymmetry of my organs. When i was born, i had one kidney three times bigger than the other and only had 33% kidney function between both kidneys. Most of my early childhood was spent hopping between hospitals. Doctors told my parents that i would never walk or function as a "normal" human being. This is where my parents first noticed my determination. As a small child i was very happy, always smiling.
As i got older i was always very different to the rest of the children, much smaller than all my friends in nursery and school. This never got me down and just made my determination to be treated the same so much higher.
The place my determination shone through the most was on a Badminton court. My Grandmother and Uncle have been previous badminton champions. You could say they were my very first inspiration in the sport. It was clear from my very first day at the local club i had talent at the age of 7. what i lack in size i make up for in strength, Emotionally and physically. At the age of 11 i was first selected to play for my county in an Inter county. wiping the floor with the opposition.At that point i was also involved in Table Tennis, Ladies Football and BMX biking.
Unfortunately at the age 13 my Kidneys Failed. I was put on to PD dialysis and was connected to a machine for 10 hours a night. This was devastating for me as i was no longer allowed to do so many sports. I insisted that i would not give up badminton and pushed through the awful things that i was going through. My mother, Jill was tested to see if she could be a living donor for me to receive one of her kidneys and Luckily she was. It took another 9 months from that testing for her to be ready to donate. two weeks before the transplant i took part in the Shetland open badminton championship and Won!
On the 24th March 2010 Jill, my mum, donated one of her kidney which i received in York Hill Children`s Hospital in Glasgow. The operations were long and very stressful for the family but both Mum and I came through. After many complications and several other operations,finally i was considered to be well again and got to go home 6 months later.
It wasn`t long before i managed to get back into badminton and with continuing health difficulties played on. 17 months after the transplant i took part in The British Transplant games in Belfast 2011. I competed in 5 events and came home with 5 medals. Gold in Badminton, Sliver in table tennis and team 4x100 relay , bronze in shot put and 100m sprint!
Unfortunately I was then Diagnosed with a Hypertrophic cardiomyopothy ( a rare heart condition not connected with the Russel Silver Syndrome) This causes a thickening of the lining of my heart. I have to be monitored regularly for this but as yet it has not altered my performance much on the badminton court. Saying that, it was another blow to the family. But i did not let it get me down .
On the 10th June 2012 I was nominated as an Olympic torch bearer by the local community, I was sponsored by coca cola as a future flame. This mean that I am an inspirational young person who could inspire others to reach for their goals.
I was cleared to compete in the 2012 games in Kent only the day before we travelled. I competed in 4 events and received 4 medals, gold in shot put and Badminton, Silver in table tennis and bronze in the 100m sprint. Amazing achievement yet again.
In September 2012 i received a letter saying i had been selected as part of a 150 strong Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team to travel to Durban in South Africa in the summer of 2013 for the World Transplant Games. This was a HUGE honour.
In November 2012 I was nominated for shetlands Young sports person of the year, and won!! was a very very big occasion. Was so proud.
I continued training as hard as i could until just before my mother and i left for South Africa. While in Africa I won GOLD in Badminton Singles and GOLD in table tennis Singles and a BRONZE in badminton doubles with a very good friend of mine Lauren Sampson.
Two weeks after South Africa i managed to equal my medal haul in Sheffield for the British Transplant Games with Two golds and a Bronze.
In November 2013 i was nominated yet again for young sports person of the year and yet to my surprise i also won it. was such a phenomenal way to end such a perfect sporting year.
2014 has been a very quiet year... the only competition i have competed in was the British Transplant Games in Bolton. where i won Badminton doubles GOLD with Gemma Wardle and Table Tennis singles SILVER.
I have Been selected again to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the World transplant Games in Argentina in the end of August 2015.
thank you so much for taking time to read my story, Please help me get to Argentina by donating a small donation and then share my story to share the news of organ donation
.
Zoe Buchanan.