My name is Daisy Friedman, and I'm a small bowel, liver, and pancreas recipient. I had Short Gut Syndrome as a result of gastroschisis and then went into TPN-induced liver failure. I received my transplant over 19 years ago in Omaha, Nebraska, and have been fortunate enough not to have needed another transplant since, and have had very minimal complications.

I live in New York City and make films mostly about chronic illness and disability in an attempt to raise awareness and build community about life after transplant and how to live a full life with long-term illness. So excited to meet everyone here and make some connections! :)

This is my first post on the site and I chose the Intestine forum as my daughter Bella is listed and wanting for a full bowel transplant (small and large). She was born with Hirschsprungs Didease, and battles intense flare ups a lot that involve painful bloating, chronic pseudo obstruction and dismotility issues. Bella is now 8y old and she has been waiting for new bowels for almost 2 years. She was listed in 2020 due to loss of vascular access and bowel failure.

You may know us from TikTok or IG as our handles are @kylact / Bella has gained quite the following for being brave through this life with a smile on her face and perseverance to find the joy in any situation.

I am Kyla, her mom. I have a son Waylon who is 3y old and my hubby’s name is Lyle. We live on an acreage in Saskatchewan, Canada and own a tree farm as well. I used to teach full time but have had to give that up due to Bellas intense medical needs. But thankfully becoming a content creator and being able to collaborate with brands has allowed me to support my family in such a way that allows me to be available any time Bella needs to go back into hospital or tend to her many daily medical requirements.

Thanks for reading through my novel here, ha ha and I am looking forward to conducting an AMA in July! Stay tuned.

-Swapna (6.5 years post small intestine transplant)