Called to Care Living Mission Every day - Karen - Flipbook - Page 29
same challenges who were competing
at a very high level. Before travelling
to Arnhem, I’d assumed I’d already
reached the best level of health and
fitness I was likely to achieve after
transplant. However, participating in
the Games has opened up a new world
for me and given me renewed
optimism about what’s possible in the
future.
Living with cystic fibrosis, being a
lung transplant recipient, having end
stage kidney disease requiring dialysis
and managing diabetes means that
self-discipline is an essential part of
my daily life. I’ve learned about the
rewards and consequences of both
compliance and non-compliance with
medical treatments and that striving
for excellence is the difference
between success and failure. Many of
the habits CF forced me to develop as
a child, are the same habits that help
me to train and compete as an adult.
Despite living with numerous health
issues, having these daily challenges
has given me the mental strength and
confidence to overcome whatever
comes my way. I often recall the
extremely difficult stays in ICU with
respiratory failure in 2019, severe
COVID in 2020 and after transplant
surgery in 2021 when I was in pain
and trying to do what the physio asked
me.
Simply the Best: Being a member of Transplant Sport Ireland and
representing her country, honours Edelle Collins' donor’s gift of a second chance
of life she tells Mission Matters
Sometimes that was just trying to lift
my hand, other times walking an extra
few steps. The sense of achievement I
felt when I’d worked to my limit and
succeeded has never left me. I draw on
that feeling whenever I face a
challenge but have to keep going.
Beyond the Finish Line: Supported by the Haemodialysis team in the Mater,
Edelle Collins proves that dialysis is no barrier to extraordinary achievement
As I look ahead, I also look back and
think of how grateful I am to my
family and friends who’ve been my
strength and my voice throughout
these difficult years. I wouldn’t be
here without them. My medical teams,
nurses, physios, dietitians and all the
staff in the Mater are my constant
support and reassurance and as they
strive for excellence, it encourages me
to play my part and do my best too.
Put simply, my success is their
success.
Being a member of Transplant Sport
Ireland and representing my country
honours my donor’s gift of a second
chance of life. I would therefore urge
everyone to have the conversation
with their family today and let them
know your wishes around organ
donation.
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