Our Stories

Jo’elle’s Story

In 1982, when I was 16, I woke up one day and had swelled twice my size.

My mother took me to the doctor's office and was told to take me to the ER right away. When I got there they immediately started to cut me out of my clothes and had to cut my jewelry off. I had NEPHROTIC SYNDROME.

I was in the hospital for three months before we were told that I had FSGS. The doctor's said I would only live to 18 and I should never have kids.

I have had one kidney transplant and lost it. I am currently on home hemodialysis.

Thanks be to God, I lived to see 46 and I not only have one but two children, Andrea and Christopher, and one grandson Michael (Macaroni, Stinky), and one grandson on the way.

I am very active at my church (St. John Baptist, where my Pastor is The Rev. Dr. Silas M. Townsend) and I am the CEO of a ministry called "A VOICE OF A DIFFERENT KIND,” which was started by my brother, Franklin Walker, who also had kidney problems and has since passed away.

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