How Kidney Beam Has Helped Gracie Regain Her Strength

At 43 years old, Gracie from Ireland has faced more challenges than most. A former Garda (police officer), she was diagnosed with diabetes at 26, a condition that eventually led to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Today, she is living with stage 5 CKD and is on the transplant list awaiting a new kidney.

Over time, Gracie developed severe neuropathy, which affected her balance and mobility. “I lost my ability to walk and became reliant on a wheelchair,” she recalls. Gracie began attending physiotherapy three times a week to maintain her strength and mobility. During this time, her Clinical Renal Nurse mentioned the Kidney Beam programme, and encouraged her to try it.

“I thought, why not? I was already doing physio, so I decided to give Kidney Beam a go,” she says.

Kidney Beam provided Grace with structure, guidance, and motivation, all tailored specifically for people living with kidney disease. The combination of exercise, expert coaching, and community support helped her stay consistent and focused.

“The programme was fantastic, it showed me what to do and kept me going,” she explains. “I also found Herolin, my health coach, so amazing and she kept encouraging me”.

Even more helpful has been the accountability built into the programme. Having someone check in, track her progress, and celebrate her achievements helped her stay on track even on the toughest days.

Thanks to her commitment to both physiotherapy and Kidney Beam, Gracie has seen remarkable progress. “When I started the programme, I was in a wheelchair,” she says. “Now, I’m walking with a rollator and getting stronger.”

Her story is a wonderful reminder of how much progress is possible with the right support, determination, and mindset. Kidney Beam not only helped Gracie rebuild her strength, but also restored her confidence and independence.