Mummy, this little boy is just like me.

Seven-year-old Aries loves soccer. He loves

running down the field with his friends and scoring goals.

But some days he has to sit on the sidelines.

Living with kidney disease means Aries must carefully manage every part of his day. If it’s too hot, if he’s unwell, or if he hasn’t had enough water, he can’t play. For a child who just wants to keep up with his friends, it can feel frustrating and lonely.

Aries has lived with kidney disease since he was a baby. For his parents, Madi and Kieran, every day involves careful routines, constant monitoring and doing everything possible to protect his kidney function.

Then something special happened at his first Kidney Kids Es-Capers event. Surrounded by other children living with kidney disease, Aries turned to his mum and said, “Mummy, this little boy is just like me.”

For the first time, he realised he wasn’t alone.