Picture a proposal (求婚) and romance, and rings come to mind - not a conversation about organs. But when Craig asked Sadie to marry him in Naples in 2018, it was kidneys that resulted in the talk of marriage.
It had all started with snoring. When the couple moved in together in 2010, Sadie realized Craig's night-time noises were a problem. At first it didn't seem to be serious. But after months of examinations, he was diagnosed as IgA Nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease, says Sadie. “It was incurable and would have a long-term impact on his health. “The diagnosis was a bomb - we were facing the fact that this would change his life.”
Unfortunately, by 2016 his condition was worsening. Craig recalls: “I was getting incredibly tired. I'd come home from work and fall on the sofa, asleep for hours." Still, it came as a huge shock to them both when in March 2019 the couple were told that Craig had two options: a kidney transplant or dialysis.
Sadie remembers. “This wasn't a decision for five years' time - he had to make it now. He's Australian, So all his family were on the other side of the world. My response was clear and immediate - you can have one of mine.”
Craig says: “When I saw her reply, I was struck with guilt. Sadie is such a selfless person, I wasn't surprised that she wanted to help.” After witnessing the terrifying reality of dialysis, Sadie became more determined to do so.
Sadly, because they had different blood types, Sadie couldn't be a direct donor but then they learned about the Kidney Sharing Scheme. “It's a bit like a kidney swap-shop based on blood, tissue and antibody tests,” says Sadie. Then finally, with the help of the scheme, in May 2019, they were matched. On July 10, 2019, they both checked into hospital and both operations went smooth.
“Sadie is the most amazing, selfless person I’ve ever met. Now we can live life again, together, and it’s all because of her.” Craig says.
【小题1】What did Craig suffer from in 2010?| A．Snoring | B．A heart trouble |
| C．A kidney disease | D．A cancer |
| A．Generous and selfish | B．Kind and selfless |
| C．Determined and humorous | D．Amazing and serious |
| A．Craig's family members lived far away from him. |
| B．Sadie didn't want Craig to go through dialysis. |
| C．Sadie was a person of noble quality. |
| D．Sadie and Craig were well matched. |
| A．A Kidney Transplant. |
| B．A Young Man Suffering from A Disease. |
| C．An Organ Transplant Contributed To A Proposal. |
| D．A Young Man Proposed To His Girlfriend. |
