ARARAT - The recently announced Federal Government $1.25 million 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 13 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 said 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 sees him spend Wednesdays and Sundays at the Ararat and District Aeromodellers Club, where remote control plane enthusiasts get together.
"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," Ms Hunter said.
"He's a great son, with such a positive attitude and he just inspires us every day which helps keep us going too."
Brodie said he enjoys going to 'Kidney Camp'. At this camp 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 also enjoys working at Mitre 10 and Lyal Eales stores to earn some extra money so he can fund his remote control plane hobby.
"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 obtain treatment," East Grampians Health Service community liaison Danny Drake said.
East Grampian Health Service director of clinical services Helen Watt sees this as a great example of the health service responding to the increasing needs of the local and surrounding communities.
East Grampians Health Service chief executive Nick Bush thanked local Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, who was also instrumental in helping obtain the funding for the health service.
Mr Tehan recently paid a visit to East Grampians Health Service to catch up with young Brodie and was certainly touched by the moving story of his life and dependence on dialysis treatment.
"I was just amazed by Brodie's story and hardship in life and it is very encouraging that some of the things you try help push through parliament can end up having such a positive outcome for the improvement of quality of life via an improved health service," Mr Tehan said.
"We are so lucky to have exceptionally good facilities in some of our country hospitals such as East Grampians Health service."
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