The latest in research confirms what I knew all along: That a kidney donor is as healthy as the rest of us. A person who has voluntarily donated a kidney lives just as long and are as healthy as others who have a kidney. Their risk of landing  up with kidney failure, cancer, high blood pressure or diabetes is the same as healthy persons.  But try convincing the medical insurance companies about this fact and you will see how difficult it is.

 I donated my kidney in the year 2000. I am perfectly healthy. But am stuck with no medical insurance. Try convincing people in the insurance companies that I am willing to pay a higher premium if they want, but they won’t touch you with a bargepole. Also have told them, that I don’t want to be insured for kidney failure, if that helps- but do insure me for heart attacks, cancer, diabetes and everything else under your scheme. A apologetic look and the enthusiastic agent disappears forever. I have unwanted calls on my mobile phone. I usually snap at everyone, except someone selling medical insurance. I am at my polite best. And then I drop the bombshell- Yes, I want insurance, I am healthy, but I have donated my kidney. Silence on the other end. Click. End of call.

It is frustrating. There are times when I want to file a PIL against this injustice and misconception. Then I feel all alone. Should I lead this crusade– will it eventually be worth all the pain? No one says no in writing, of course. How will I go about this? Are there others like me? How many have gone through what I have?