By: Wills Porter Shifting Environments Twenty-one years ago, I received my life-saving transplant. Ever since then, I have been to hundreds of doctor appointments and spent a large amount of time in the hospital. As much as I love being home, I also have come to love the hospital. You may be wondering why IContinue reading “Reflections on the Journey: My Second Home”
Category Archives: Joy in the Journey
Joy in the Journey Part 6: Classic City
Take a Leap In the previous post, I discussed the importance of not buying into the low expectations others place on you. When I was in high school, I did not do a good job of drowning out the negative voices in my life. It wasn’t until I was a Junior in highschool that IContinue reading “Joy in the Journey Part 6: Classic City”
Own It Part 1: Welcome to Reality
Own It Series Introduction At the age of twelve, I bean one of the greatest experiences of my life. At the time, I did not realize it, but looking back, the teen clinic experience at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta was truly incredible. The goal of the transplant teen clinic program at CHOA was to helpContinue reading “Own It Part 1: Welcome to Reality”
Joy in the Journey Part 5: Expectations
What do you Expect? If you want to go far in life you must have expectations for yourself. Unfortunately, we so often listen to and adopt the expectations others have of us as our own. In some cases, this can be helpful. However, this can also lead to someone falling prey to the bigotry ofContinue reading “Joy in the Journey Part 5: Expectations”
Joy in the Journey Part 4: The Joys of My Journey
By: Wills Porter In Part 3 of this blog series, I wrote about a few of the challenges I have faced throughout my transplant journey. These challenges included school, navigating insurance and overcoming the bigotry of low expectations. While I believe it is important to reflect on the challenges one faces, I think it isContinue reading “Joy in the Journey Part 4: The Joys of My Journey”
Reflections on the Journey: 21 Years
BY: Wills Porter The following was originally written on January 1, 2021. With my 21st transplant anniversary just hours away, I sat down and decided to reflect on the incredible experience of my personal transplant journey. This journey is not for the weak of heart. In many ways, this journey makes you a warrior. ThisContinue reading “Reflections on the Journey: 21 Years”
Joy in the Journey Part 3: Y2K
By: Wills Porter *This post is in no way meant to diminish someone elses transplant experience. I have faced many challenges. However, the transplant journey is unique and the challenges are many.* A Challenge from the Start When I woke up after surgery, I had a new life and a new millennium had begun. WhileContinue reading “Joy in the Journey Part 3: Y2K”
Joy in the Journey Part 2: Life Changes
By: Wills Porter Life Changes While I was being prepared for surgery in pre-op my family notified our family friends back in Athens and out of state. To say that this was a major development would be an understatement. I was finally in pre-op and would soon undergo my much-awaited liver transplant. When the finalContinue reading “Joy in the Journey Part 2: Life Changes”
Joy in the Journey Part 1: The Stage is Set
By: Wills Porter While I am going to share my Transplant Journey in this blog series, I want to first ask you the reader something. When you think about your life, what do you think about the most? The reason for life… your purpose? For me I think about how my life could have beenContinue reading “Joy in the Journey Part 1: The Stage is Set”
Kidney Trails 