Carl says: “I wasn’t badly affected until I was about 20, when I couldn’t stay awake and became really ill. My friends took me to A&E and doctors found my kidneys had failed. I needed immediate dialysis.
“My social life went downhill, and I had to give up my job in telephone sales because of how ill I was. It is frustrating not to be able to do the things you used to. It takes its toll.
“I’ve had two transplants from deceased donors. The first was in 2005 but unfortunately it failed after just six months. In 2008 I had my second kidney and pancreas transplant, and I’ve been living with them for 16 years. It’s really sad to think of the donors who lost their lives. I’m so grateful they thought of others.
“The past 16 years have been great, I went back to work and can do things again, without the restriction of dialysis. I’ve got kids so it is amazing to be able to go on holidays together.
“Football has always been a big part of my life. I had been looking at joining the Welsh transplant team for a couple of years but didn’t have the confidence. I wasn’t sure but, in the end, I thought ‘just go for it’. You never know if you’ll get another chance because a transplant can fail at any time.
“The team have been amazing since I joined a year ago and are a brilliant group of lads. They’re all looking to help people who’ve had transplants and if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be in this position now. I’m really thankful.”
