LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Kenneth Walker has spent nearly two decades managing lupus, a diagnosis that came when he was just 25 years old. Now, the Estacado High School band director is facing another major health challenge with the same resilience he teaches his students.<\/p>\n
Walker\u2019s doctor recently delivered difficult news about his transplanted kidney.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ask my doctor and the tough thing to hear, I\u2019m basically going to lose this kidney right and he said yes,\u201d Walker said.<\/p>\n
Walker received his first kidney transplant in 2019 from a living donor after spending five years on the transplant waiting list. The transplant gave him what he called \u201ccomplete freedom\u201d from the constraints of his illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinally got a transplant and everything after that like I said it was complete freedom when I got the transplant,\u201d Walker said. \u201cHere it was tough to hear but like I said in my mind I\u2019ve done this before.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, six years later, his body is rejecting that kidney and he must prepare to start dialysis again while waiting for another donor.<\/p>\n
Despite his health challenges, Walker continues leading the band program at the same school where he once marched as a student. This year, he guided his students to their first Division One rating in nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n
For Walker, the achievement represents something deeper than competition success.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrophies collect dust you know it\u2019s the memories,\u201d Walker said. \u201cWhat\u2019s important is what can I teach you even though it\u2019s band, it\u2019s a lot more than that I think life but band is the vehicle I use to teach it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walker uses his own experiences to teach his students about perseverance. His three children and his students all know about his health struggles, which he views as an opportunity to model resilience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have three kids and my oldest seen me going through it before but it\u2019s important to show your kids I\u2019m not going to just give up especially your students,\u201d he said. \u201cThey know what\u2019s going on, I tell them life is going to hit you hard and you can\u2019t just give up.\u201d<\/p>\n