EP 133: “Walking by Faith: Maria’s Story of Survival and Purpose”

Title:  EP 133:  “Walking by Faith: Maria’s Story of Survival and Purpose”

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this episode of This Thing Called Life, we meet Maria Valentina Almeida — a college graduate, a passionate advocate, and a woman whose faith has carried her through a lifetime of medical battles.

Born with sepsis and a rare Colecta malformation that led to kidney failure, Maria now shares her story to bring hope, dignity, and strength to others living with disabilities. Her journey is still unfolding, and she is in urgent need of a kidney donor — but her spirit remains unshakeable. This conversation shines with resilience, purpose, and the power of believing in something bigger.

 

✨ Episode Highlights

• Maria shares her background, including her mother's history with kidney disease and transplants.

• Maria's mother was diagnosed with kidney failure at 19 and underwent multiple transplants, inspiring Maria.

• Maria's mother had Maria and her twin sister during her second transplant, highlighting her resilience and determination.

• Maria was born in Venezuela with sepsis and underwent emergency surgery on her first day of life.

• She spent 45 days in the NICU and faced alarming prognoses from doctors, but she has proven them wrong.

• Maria had her kidney removed at nine years old during a surgery in the United States in 2011.

• Despite her health challenges, Maria has always tried to live a normal life and take her treatments seriously.

• Maria discusses the impact of her chronic illness on her life, including feeling different from her peers.

• She emphasizes the importance of not seeing herself as a victim and using her challenges as a strength.

• Maria shares her faith and how it has helped her through her difficult times.

• She talks about the power of sharing her story and connecting with others who have similar challenges.

• Maria graduated from college early due to her kidney failure symptoms and received two degrees in journalism and public health.

• She also has a minor in health behavior analysis and plans to use her education to advocate for others.

• Maria's faith and family support have been crucial in her journey, and she aims to continue sharing her story.

• She expresses her desire to use her platform to help others who may not have the same resources or support.

• Maria's twin sister has been a strong advocate for her, creating a Canva campaign and getting billboards to raise awareness.

• Maria's parents have also been very supportive, attending her appointments and taking care of her.

• Maria's faith and family support have helped her stay positive and hopeful through her challenges.

• She shares her dreams of receiving a transplant and how it would change her life.

• She encourages others to reach out for help and support, and to continue dreaming and achieving despite their challenges.

• Andi Johnson concludes the podcast by thanking Maria and reminding listeners of the importance of living donation and kindness.

 

📝 Key Takeaways

1. Resilience is cultivated, not accidental. Maria’s journey — from emergency surgery at birth to kidney removal at age nine and ongoing health battles — reflects a life shaped by determination, faith, and a refusal to see herself as a victim.
2. Family support and advocacy can change outcomes. From her mother’s perseverance through three transplants to her sister launching awareness campaigns and her parents accompanying her to appointments, Maria’s story is a testament to the life-saving power of community.
3. Sharing your story can create purpose and hope. With degrees in journalism and public health, Maria is committed to helping others navigate illness and disability. By speaking boldly about her own journey — and her need for a kidney donor — she offers courage, information, and connection to others on the same path.

 

📢 Tweetable Quotes

“She is a third-time transplant survivor, and she's just my biggest inspiration. But something that stands out a lot about my mom is that she had my twin sister and me during her second transplant, after her second transplant had happened. It's just so motivating to see how she persevered and how she had this goal of being a mom, even despite what she went through since such a young age.”

• Maria on her Mother’s experience with Kidney Disease

 

“The doctors gave my parents a lot of alarming prognoses