Dunedin resident Dr Paul Trotman with his cat Taylor during World Kidney Day yesterday. PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIEN & SUPPLIEDKidney failure was simply a hurdle, and not a roadblock, for Dr Paul Trotman. Yesterday, as part of World Kidney Day, Dr Trotman wanted to be transparent about the reality of living with kidney failure, which is often seen as a ‘‘silent condition’’, because many people do not realise they have it until it is at an advanced stage. Dr Trotman, 60, of Dunedin, was diagnosed with kidney failure just as he was about to turn 17, and he went on dialysis while in his final year of secondary school. Despite the odds, Dr Trotman finished his secondary education, and applied for medical school, while still undergoing his weekly treatment.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 12, 2026 18:57 UTC