Robby Rariden approaching two-year anniversary of life-saving kidney donation
GRAND BLANC TWP. -- In May of 2009, NBC25 brought you the story of Robby Rariden, whose life was saved by a kidney donation from his Aunt Mary, after his own kidneys had failed completely during his freshman year of high school. Now, the senior-to-be is healthier than he's ever been.
"It's just really good to see that he's doing so well," said an emotional Mary Rariden, who saved Robby's life. Every kid deserves to have a normal...teenage years, and do what everybody else can do, without even thinking about dialysis. So, it was totally worth it, and he's made me very proud."
No one would have blamed Robby for wanting some downtime after such an ordeal, but resting was the last thing on his mind.
"As soon as I got out of the hospital, I got right back into the pool and started my swim season," said the 17 year-old Rariden. "And I was putting up the best times I ever had in my life. It just gave me so much more energy, and having the surgery made me such a healthier kid that I was able to swim faster than I had in my whole life."
So while Robby's physical strength was peaking, there was never any doubt about his mental strength, which he demonstrated time and again while his kidneys were repeatedly failing him.
"He would literally throw up every day, act like absolutely nothing was happening, (and) would get right back in the pool," said Dan Command, Robby's water polo coach at Grand Blanc. "No one else really knew what was going on, except for me and him. And he always had a will, he always wanted to be the best player he could be. He loves water polo, and really motivates the team."
Teammates aren't the only ones Robby inspires, as his father was his son become an active role model for others battling health issues.
"It would've been very easy for me, or for someone else, just to withdraw. But not Robby, he decided not to," said Robby's father, Terry Rariden. "He wanted to spread his personality and his blessing that he received."
Starting July 30th in Wisconsin, Robby will compete as a swimmer in the Transplant Games, featuring recipients of organ and bone marrow transplants. Medals will be awarded, but they will only signify a secondary achievement.
"Really, the big victory is that everybody can go, we're all healthy enough to finish our races, and to do things like that," said Robby. "It really doesn't matter if you get a gold medal or a bronze medal, or if you don't medal at all. The fact that you went through it, and you were there with the whole transplant community supporting the cause."
Even on the days when Robby tirelessly trains in the pool by himself, he knows is never truly alone.
"It's always kind of special to think that my kidney's in there, and that we're doing it together," said Robby's Aunt Mary.
