Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a Holiday party given and attended by members of the Long Island Chapter of the PKD Foundation.

The amazing thing was that there was nothing amazing at all! It was a nice warm, gathering of friends and acquaintances.

If you didn’t know beforehand, you would never know by appearance that this group of people has, is, and will be dealing with PKD on one level or another.

There were people with multiple kidney transplants, people who have been on dialysis, people who will be on dialysis, kidney donors, someone who wants to be a kidney donor, and children of PKD patients who may have the disease.

It was as an attractive group of people you would ever want to meet. (Don’t forget, I was part of it! )

For those who have recently been diagnosed, I wish you would have been there to experience people who are deep into their “PKD Odyssey,” and, being members of a local PKD Foundation Chapter, also contribute to the ongoing efforts for patient support and a cure.

Obviously I’m not saying that the people at this party are not without issues. Of course there are issues. That’s life!

But this group of people is proof of the capability of “overcoming adversity.”

Normal life can be lived!

However, it often takes discipline, and persistence, and faith, and confidence to continue on the PKD Odyssey with optimism. And clearly this group of people demonstrate that.

So, thank you, host and hostess of the party, and thank you to everyone attending for increasing my sense of gratitude and hope for the PKD community!

By the way, the homemade chocolate chip cookies were great! (My wife baked them! )

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl

Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming