Kidney transplant helped me start my own business

[okarol]

Kidney transplant helped me start my own business

Mar 5 2008 by Susan Lee, Liverpool Echo

WHEN Jan Williams underwent a kidney transplant she knew it would be the start of a new life.

What she hadn’t reckoned on was it being the start of a new business too – and one which would help other women tackle a topic still almost too taboo to talk about.

“Unwanted hair in women is a huge issue but it’s a hidden one; people just don’t discuss it,” says Jan who began to develop unwanted hair as a result of the drugs she had to take for her kidney condition.

“But it can affect every area of your life. It can lead to depression and wanting to hide away from the world.

“Image is everything these days and if you’re not happy with how you look your confidence can be hugely knocked.

She adds: “And I know all this because I’ve had first-hand experience. Now I want to help others like I was helped.”

Just a few days after marrying her first husband, back in 1996, Jan collapsed and was taken to hospital.

“I’d been feeling dreadful for months,” recalls the former make-up artist.

“I’d had antibiotics but nothing worked. The day I got married I threw up nine times. Guests thought it was just nerves but I knew it was something else; I just didn’t know what.”

But, having been admitted to hospital in London, she was diagnosed with kidney failure.

“I was shocked. I passed out when they told me. It had been going on for months so my kidneys were so badly damaged no-one could tell me what had caused it.”

Placed on a waiting list for a transplant Jan underwent regular dialysis.

She was thrilled 18 months later when the call came through to say a kidney had become available.

“But it wasn’t great quality and the transplant made me very ill. Nine months later, doctors took it out.”

Her marriage subsequently broke down.

“Our lifestyles were going different ways, and I don’t think he could cope with me being so ill, but we remain good friends.”

She moved back up north and new hope arrived with a second transplant at the Royal Liverpool Hospital three years ago. That proved successful and, says Jan, has made a ‘fantastic’ difference to her life.

But the multitude of drugs she must take to remain healthy resulted in a very unwanted side-effect.

“I started growing hair. I was horrified. It affected my body like my bikini line and legs – I was having to shave every other day – but it particularly affected my face.

“It was downy and blonde but I could see and feel it. It was long enough even to have a bit of a wave to it and I was very conscious of how I looked, particularly in the sun.

“And I’d never, ever put my hair up. I was too frightened it would just draw more attention to ”

She admits that, never having had a problem before, it affected her confidence. She also tried every form of hair removal from creams to waxing, bleaching and shaving but found little worked.

In the end, with the hair getting darker and more noticeable, she inquired about laser therapy.

“It worked and I was so pleased. It was the answer I’d been looking for.

“But in conversation with my consultant he suggested I set up in business to offer the same service to other women as there was little available in this area.”

The Frodsham Laser Clinic opened its doors this month.

Having had training Jan is now offering treatmentusing a Class 4 laser – one of the most powerful available – and able to remove hair from any part of the body.

She offers treatment for both men and women and sessions cost around £55 each.

“I wanted to offer somewhere where women will feel comfortable; somewhere that’s private and discreet if needs be but friendly, too.

“It’s such a hard thing to walk in to a clinic in the first place and discuss something so personal.

“But I understand how my clients feel; I’ve been there and come out the other side.”

Jan was helped in setting up her business by Liverpool-based Train 2000 which is committed to helping women’s enterprise across Merseyside, Cheshire and West Lancashire.

Train 2000 offers free business advice, support, and access to funding to help women overcome barriers into self-employment. More recently Train 2000 has been working closely with BusinessLiverpool, Knowsley Council and NWDA to accelerate the rate of women owned businesses across the region.

For more information, call 0151 236 6601 or visit www.train2000.org.uk

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/views/liverpool-columnists/echo-columnists/2008/03/05/kidney-transplant-helped-me-start-my-own-business-100252-20558448/