Joe aims to bring gold home after long kidney fight

ADAM RICHARDS | Basingstoke Observer

A Basingstoke man who has battled against lifelong health problems is hoping to bring back gold from an international sporting competition.

Joe Dunster from Brighton Hill is aiming to beat the best at the World Transplant Games in Sweden later this month.

The multi-talented sportsman will represent Great Britain in golf, table tennis and squash.

The 31-year-old’s achievement marks an 11-year struggle to full fitness after receiving a kidney transplant in August 2000.

When Joe was two-years-old he was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. The debilitating illness meant his kidneys leaked protein.

While growing up, he was able to manage his condition through a controlled diet and lead an active lifestyle, representing south east England in squash.

But when he was 16 his health spiralled downwards and two years later he was diagnosed with kidney failure and put on the organ waiting list.

For four years he needed four hours of kidney dialysis a day and had an permanent open wound in his stomach to hook up to the dialysis machine.

He said: “It was not a great time in my life. For those years I could not lead a normal life at all.

“I could not go out with my friends or celebrate my birthday or New Year. Instead I was undergoing treatment.”

In August 2000 doctors called him to say they had found a kidney match and he could receive the life-changing operation.

He said: “I still remember the wonder call when they said I had a kidney match. My life has changed dramatically since then.”

But the road to recovery still proved tough for the then 20-year-old. He said his body took two years to get back on track following the operation. He said: “I suffered quite a lot of muscle wastage and nerve damage in my legs. I was not able to drive or walk and I was classified as disabled.

“But over the years I built up my strength and got my body fit. For me to be able to run around the squash court now is quite an achievement.”

And in December last year Joe decided to pick up a squash racquet for the first time in 15-years.

And six months down the line he said he would be disappointed not to bring home a medal from Gothenburg. He said: “To go from nothing to this and to challenge for a medal is a huge turn around for me compared to where I was 12 months ago.”

The 18th World Transplant Games runs from June 17 to June 24.