Now Joe’s got more space, his family can visit

Since moving into his Kāinga Ora home, Joe says he has the time and space to have his precious family around, brightening up the hours he spends having medical treatment.

“They’re my blessings,” says Joe fondly as he points to the many family photographs on his living room walls.

Family is what sustains Joe, especially since he was diagnosed with kidney disease four years ago. He had to give up full-time work as a truck driver and instead spend much of his time in hospital. It was a big change for someone who loved working, looking after his family and enjoying the outdoors.

In effort to have Joe accepted for home dialysis, his daughter Sarina completed months of training to become a qualified nurse to operate the dialysis machine.

“Sarina is very devoted. She sacrifices a lot for me, and I feel very privileged. I am very proud of her,” says Joe.

The only difficulty was that the dialysis machine took up a lot of living space meaning there was no room for visiting family.

Upon learning of Joe’s situation, Kāinga Ora was able to find a new home better suited to his needs.

“I love living here,” says Joe. “It’s safe and warm, and there’s plenty of room for my family to visit.”

Even with the dialysis machine set up, there’s space for separate dining and living areas, and enough seats for family get-togethers. There’s also easy access to a private and secure garden where the grandchildren play, and where Joe likes to barbecue during the summer.

There’s even room for Joe’s small fishing boat, a gift from his sons so that he could keep getting out on the water.

“Family, church and fishing – those are my favourite pastimes.”