This little girl from Pacific, Missouri got a kidney which she needed since she was born. And, her donor was her kindergarten teacher.
The girl, Kayleigh Kulage, was a premature baby and came to this world at only 26 weeks.
Her mother, Desiree Kulage says how she weighed only 15.2 ounces and was 11.25 inches long. And, she had to spend 158 days in the NICU.
Today, the 5 year-old received a kidney which she needed to be able to live a quality life.
She’s a Very Happy Child, Says Her Mother
Desiree explains that if her daughter didn’t have tubes on herself, she wouldn’t know that there’s something wrong with her. She never ever cries or complains about pain.
Overall, she’s a happy child and she’s lucky to have her. Her parents also had to set up peritoneal dialysis for her every night.
Teacher Decides to Donate Her Kidney to Kayleigh
Robin Mach, a kindergarten teacher, met Kayleigh in 2019.
Mach said that the girl was a student in their school and had to get some home services and she went there. She worked with her for around a year and a half.
The girl needed the kidney and her teacher wanted to give her a chance for a normal life and to be able to go to school. And, this is how she decided to help her.
Both procedures went great and the new kidney is working well in the girl. However, the first 24 hours were painful and scary for Kayleigh and her closest ones.
Kayleigh Was a Brave Girl, with a Zest for Life
But, she’s been a very brave girl. One doctor from the PICU told the parents that it was unbelievable that the girl had this major procedure done less than a week ago, yet she was the happiest child in the hospital.
Mach is keeping in touch with the girl every day. Desiree said of Mach that’s she’s wonderful.
She actually offered to do their laundry and take the mother back and forth to which she replied ‘you just had major surgery. You need to go home and rest.’
Kulage says she doesn’t know how to thank her and she’s constantly telling her ‘thank you’.
Today, with a new kidney, sweet Kayleigh has a chance for a normal childhood. Her parents explain the girl never had a normal bath before.
Today, she may be able to experience the ocean and swim and experience things she’s never experienced before.
Sources: