Arthur Hill, DPC Board Member
“When Death Couldn’t Stop Me, I Knew I Had Work to Do”
When I first learned I had Goodpasture’s disease – a rare condition that would forever change my life – I had no idea I was about to embark on a journey that would reveal depths of strength I never knew I possessed.
September 2010 marked the beginning of what I now call my awakening. Despite feeling unwell, I pushed forward with determination, traveling to Mississippi for work. My body was sending me urgent signals, but I was too focused on my responsibilities to listen. Two weeks later, when I finally sought medical attention, I discovered my kidneys had failed – the diagnosis: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). What followed was emergency heart surgery and the beginning of my dialysis journey.
In those critical moments – when my heart stopped twice, once in the ambulance and once in the hospital – I experienced something profound. Each time I returned, I felt chosen for something greater. These weren’t just medical emergencies but transformations that would fuel my purpose.
As a self-employed individual recently deciding to forgo health insurance, I thought I understood sacrifice. But ESRD taught me lessons no textbook could: resilience in financial uncertainty, strength in vulnerability, and incredible support systems that emerged when I needed them most.
Dialysis became more than a treatment; it became my classroom. In those chairs, surrounded by fellow warriors fighting the same battle, I discovered an extraordinary community. We share more than medical procedures; we share hope, laughter, and an unbreakable bond forged by our determination to thrive.
This experience ignited something powerful within me. When I stood before Indiana lawmakers advocating for Senate Bill 215 – legislation that would reduce Medigap premiums for dialysis patients under 65 – I realized my voice could catalyze change. That advocacy moment led to one of my greatest honors: joining the Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC) Board of Directors, where I fight for every patient’s right to live with dignity and hope.
The recent Supreme Court ruling threatening our access to employer-sponsored health plans strengthened my resolve. Having experienced firsthand the lifeline private insurance can provide, especially during those critical early months, I’ve become a fierce advocate for the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act. This isn’t just policy – it’s about preserving hope and choice for every patient and family.
What I’ve learned on this journey is revolutionary: we are not defined by our diagnoses. Every dialysis session is an opportunity to inspire, connect, and make a difference. Our scars tell stories of survival. Our treatments are reminders of our incredible resilience. Our community is proof that no challenge is insurmountable when faced together.
To every patient reading this, to every family member walking alongside a loved one, to every caregiver making a difference: you are part of something magnificent. We are warriors, advocates, and living proof that medical challenges cannot diminish the human spirit.
Your story matters. Your voice has power. Your presence in this world makes a difference.
Together, we don’t just survive – we triumph. Together, we transform challenges into opportunities. Together, we ensure that every person facing kidney failure knows they are valued, supported, and never alone.
This is our movement. This is our moment. This is our victory.
Keep fighting. Keep believing. Keep inspiring.
The best chapters of our stories are still being written.
