A college student in need of a new kidney was denied getting a transplant because of his age.
Thiwat Thiwat, 21, found out that his kidneys were failing during his senior year at Deering High School in Portland, Maine, four years ago. He said that his immune system started attacking his kidneys---as he was a member of the high school’s state championship team, reported WMTW-TV.
According to the report, his kidneys are functioning at one percent of normal capacity.
He was relying on state health insurance program Mainecare, but he was cut off after he turned 21.
That means he no longer qualifies for the kidney donation list because he has no health insurance.
“Everyone needs help every once in awhile, and this is such a big thing to cut off from 21-year-olds,” Thiwat said. “We’re just starting to figure out life. I should be able to have Mainecare because your health is one of the biggest things that either helps you or prevents you from progressing.”
Thiwat---who added that he is grateful for the help and support from his family and friends---said Maine Med is allowing him to continue dialysis until he qualifies for insurance.
“The biggest dilema right now is the insurance. A ‘GoFundMe’ would be nice, but even with that, the program wants to make sure I have insurance so I can afford the anti-rejection pills,'” Thiwat told WLBZ2-TV.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s office is now helping him expedite his applications for MaineCare and Social Security disability, which will take weeks to process.
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