Karen Rodas and Paul Rybkin’s first child, Nathaniel, was born with a rare condition known as Polycystic Kidney Disease, which leads to the growth of cysts in the kidneys, ultimately causing kidney failure. Nathaniel passed away after living for only 36 hours.
The couple’s second child, Maddy, was also born with the same condition and spent the first 18 months of her life in and out of the hospital, receiving oxygen treatments and tube feedings.
However, as Maddy’s health continued to decline, her father Paul donated his kidney to save her life.
Karen expressed her nervousness during the procedure, but the operation was a success, and both Maddy and her father are doing well. Despite the risk, Paul said that donating his kidney was just a part of being a parent.
Maddy will require another kidney transplant in 25 years, but her parents are focusing on her happy and healthy life in the present. As her mother continues to update her progress, we can follow Maddy’s journey on her website.