Name: Amber Owens

Social Media Handle/Username: ___ambo

Introduce Yourself/Tell About Yourself: I’m Amber. I’m 31 years old and I reside in Baltimore. I have lupus, kidney failure and I’m on dialysis. I’m currently waiting for a kidney transplant. My life is so different from the average person my age. I spend most of days at different doctors appointments, most of my nights on a dialysis machine. It’s not easy at all but I’m tough enough to handle it all.

What Inspires You Every day? : I inspire myself honestly. Sometimes I sit back and think about all the things I’ve been through. Numerous kidney biopsies, kidney failure, dialysis, a stroke, clot in my heart and I’m still the same person. I’m not bitter, I’m not angry, I’m not mean, I still care about others. I know there’s a better life ahead of me, I just have to get there

What is some words of wisdom you live by?: This too shall pass

What is your ultimate goal in life? : To get my kidney and get a second chance at life. This time I’m gonna do everything I want to do.

How have you been during the pandemic and how has it affected you? : I haven’t really been affected too much. I’m usually a homebody anyway, so it just gave me more time to do the things I missed doing, like reading and writing. Thankfully I was able to avoid COVID, but unfortunately I did lose my grandma which was devastating to me.

What is a message you would like to give others? : Two things. Never look at what’s going on presently in your life. Things can change. Focus on the future. Make decisions and choices for the future. Second thing, take people for what they are. Don’t fall in love with a person potential. This pandemic and my chronic illness has definitely taught me who my real friends are.

What else would you like to tell others about you or your life?: Just because I hide it well, doesn’t mean that I’m not hurting…….