Against All Odds: Gaelle’s Journey to Healing and Helping Others

Born with spina bifida and no stranger to life’s challenges, 28-year-old Gaelle Merveille has been fighting for her life since birth and continues to do so today as a dialysis patient waiting for a kidney transplant.

For the past three years, Gaelle has undergone treatment while navigating the demands of kidney disease, a condition that, in her words, “made a lot of decisions for how I should live my life.” Originally from Haiti, Gaelle moved to the U.S. to seek better medical care and was welcomed into the home of her aunt Mirlene, who raised her like a daughter. “She gave me hope and the opportunity to move forward,” Gaelle says.

Living with physical disabilities and chronic illness hasn’t been easy. Gaelle has undergone multiple surgeries, including a shunt for hydrocephalus and foot correction for clubfoot, and she now receives dialysis three times a week. Through it all, she’s remained resilient and hopeful, sharing, “I look forward to advocating for people like me.” Her care team at Boston Medical Center has been a key part of her journey. Gaelle credits doctors like Dr. Jasvinder Bhatia and Dr. Anna Goldman for providing her with not just medical guidance, but a deep sense of support. “Dr. Bhatia is so patient with me,” she shares. “He explains everything about my condition and helps me understand it.”

Despite her challenges, Gaelle is focused on growth and giving back. She hopes to one day become a mentor to other patients navigating dialysis and kidney disease. “It’s changed my smile,” she says, “but made me grow up so I never shirk any kind of responsibility.” Her advice to others? “Always make sure to take care of yourself. Kidney health is important because it makes you more aware of your surroundings and your future."

Kidney disease may be part of her life, but it does not define her. “Life with kidney disease is a challenge,” she says, “but you have a care health team to help you.”