He has endured several years of pain, discomfort and dialysis treatments. Now that he has resumed life as a normal teenage boy, Rodney King’s mother Roselle is breathing a sigh of relief.{{more}}

“It’s a big relief,” Roselle said during an interview with Searchlight on Tuesday, September 22. “He feels different…better, like a different person…he makes more jokes now,” Roselle said.

Seventeen-year-old Rodney had successful kidney transplant surgery on June 2, 2009, at the Eric Williams Medical Centre in Trinidad; his donor was his father, construction worker Derick James. Rodney and his mother returned to St. Vincent on Wednesday, September 16, 2009.

Rodney’s plight was made public at the beginning of this year when Roselle requested help for her son’s surgery, the only cure for his chronic kidney failure.

“I just want to say thanks to everyone,” Roselle said, presenting a thank you letter that extended gratitude to all those who helped during the family’s difficult time.

“I must mention that there were some anxious moments during the ordeal. I believe the prayers of many assisted us during these times,” the letter said. It continued: “We owe a great deal to many who took it upon themselves to provide the necessary funds which were required to do the operation.

“We want to personally thank the Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and his staff who initiated the move to get us to Trinidad, also the wife of the Prime Minister Mrs. Eloise Gonsalves, and Storm, the son of the prime minister, the staff and students at the Community College, LIME, Scotia Bank, Mustique Company, “We Ting” promotions, the Taiwanese Embassy, the Pastor and Members of the Kingstown Evangelical Church, Dr. Rohan deShong, staff and students of the St. Vincent Grammar School, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis of Ross Book Store, the media, the Searchlight Newspaper and The News Newspaper.”

Roselle further thanked the Government for paying for Rodney’s ongoing medical care after the operation, and the general public for their help and support.

When SEARCHLIGHT spoke to Rodney on the telephone, he added his personal thanks, saying that he feels stronger and is happy that he no longer has to do dialysis treatments. “I go places without worrying about doing dialysis,” he said. Rodney’s medication now consists of three types of pills which he has to take for the rest of his life. He also takes antibiotics and pressure medication.

Also sharing his thoughts was Rodney’s father and kidney donor Derick James, who said he felt it was his duty to help his son in his time of need. “He is my son. It is my objective to see that he lives a long and healthy life,” he said. James, who says he “feels healthy” since the surgery, said that he is happy that Rodney is a healthy boy now.

Rodney is expected to return to school as a first year student at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College’s Division of Arts, Sciences and General Studies, in October. He will also return to Trinidad in October for further observations.