Refrigeration, air-conditioning and the power of positive thinking

Riley Sullivan was about a year into an air-conditioning and refrigeration apprenticeship when he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. After feeling a ‘bit off’, tests revealed his kidneys were functioning at just four per cent. Within days, he began dialysis treatment that would continue for the next five months.

What followed were months of uncertainty.

“I was just a kid from the country getting told all these big words about my health,” Riley recalled. “The biggest thing for me was the unknown. I didn’t know what dialysis was. I thought I was just going to take a tablet and be good to go.”

In the lead-up to a kidney transplant, all he could think about was the welfare of his donor – his father – and the impact it might have on his family.

“It was a very scary time,” Riley said. “I was worried about something happening to Dad with the sacrifice he was making rather than thinking of my own health.”

Riley tried to keep his mind busy during his months in hospital – studying the art of horse racing, talking with mates and listening to the stories of other people who were doing it tough.

“I just tried to focus on staying positive,” he said. “It helped me realise that I’m not the only person going through a tough time and that there’s always someone out there worse off.”

Riley was working for Williams and Burns and studying at Box Hill TAFE when he was given the diagnosis. At first, he hoped to get back to work as soon as possible, but he soon realised he’d have to take the time his body needed to recover.

“I realised there was a lot more to life than working and I had to focus on my health. I had time to reflect and I actually went for a drive and just camped on the beach and sort of just tried to keep my mind busy. That allowed me to think about making a return and how it would work and what it would look like.”

With support from AGA Field Officer Roger Wallis and his colleagues at Williams and Burns, he scheduled a return date earlier this year and has now taken on extra classes at trade school to try and catch up. He drives from his home in Korumburra in South Gippsland to family in Hastings every week to make the trip to Box Hill a little shorter.

Riley said he wouldn’t have been able to persevere without all the support he’s had around him.

“Work’s been awesome, AGA’s been awesome, Roger’s been awesome. Just the understanding from everyone that it’ll take time with appointments and days off – there’s no questions asked. Everyone’s been great, which has made everything so much easier.”

Roger says Riley’s resilience has left a lasting impression on those around him and he looks forward to being there the day he completes his apprenticeship.

“He’s an inspiring kid,” Roger said. “The way he’s approached getting back to work with such positivity really rubs off on the other guys around him. And his workplace is more like a family to him, they’ll do anything to support him. He’s been really fortunate in that he’s certainly got a lot of people that care about him close by.”

For Riley, returning to work wasn’t just about continuing his apprenticeship. It was about regaining a sense of normality after months spent in hospitals and treatment rooms.

“The biggest thing for me was the communication,” he said. “I was talking to the same doctors and the same patients every day. Going back to work meant talking to different people again and getting a bit of normality back in my life.”

Riley doesn’t pretend to have everything mapped out. For now, he’s focused on taking things one day at a time, staying on track with his apprenticeship and holding onto the perspective his health journey has given him.

“I’m not jumping too far ahead at the moment. Just sort of going day by day. That’s one thing I’ve learned as well, not to look too far forward. Any day can be your last, so don’t end the day with too many regrets.”

Now 21, Riley is proud of how far he has come, even if he prefers not to dwell on it.

“It’s pretty cool. I’m very proud to be in the position that I am now and I’m very grateful for the people around me. I’m turning any negative into a positive – no matter how bad it is, there’s always going to be a positive. I just try to keep thinking as positive as I can.”