News

Dan Tehan hears young Brodie’s story

9th August, 2011

The recently announced Federal Government 1.25 million dollar dialysis upgrade at East Grampians Health Service will help people with kidney disease, such as 15 year old Brodie Hunter. Brodie has battled with kidney disease since he was born and relies on dialysis for survival.

Brodie explained that after being born he was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital suffering undersized and faltering kidneys. Brodie has had a lifetime of problems with his kidneys, which has been a battle for both him and his family. At the age of thirteen Brodie's mother Bronwyn decided to donate one of her kidneys to her son, so he could have a better life. But after a failed thirteen hour operation, Bronwyn's kidney was rejected.

Brodie has had numerous operations and has spent much of his life in hospital care. This isn't much fun for a young boy who just wants to get outside and play.

Brodie's mother highlighted he is the sort of teenager that "just gets on with it". This attitude has helped him and his family survive the horrendous challenges they have faced in dealing with his kidney condition.

Most of the time Brodie devotes his time to his remote control aeroplanes. This is a hobby that he spends on Wednesdays and Sundays at the Ararat and District Aeromodellers Club, where remote control plane enthusiasts get together. His Mum Bronwyn, says "it's just a great release for Brodie, he can forget about all the hassles in his life and just escape and get outside and enjoy flying his remote control planes which he loves. He's a great son, with such a positive attitude and he just inspires us every day which helps keeping us going too".

Brodie said he enjoys going to "Kidney Camp". This is a place where 30-40 children from different states of Australia are able to get together and have a week of fun. All these children suffer from similar kidney conditions, and this camp enables them to get away and make some new friends. Brodie enjoys working at Mitre 10 and Lyal Eales stores to earn some extra money so he can fund his hobby of remote control planes.

East Grampians Health Service Community Liaison Officer Mr Danny Drake said "I'm sure there are many stories like young Brodie's, but it just re-enforces why it's important to have good health services available locally, where community members like Brodie suffer from kidney disease avoid travelling to large centres to attain treatment."