They started the school year as strangers and they are ending the year as family. I started this school year like a regular school year and Damien like a regular student, Finn Lanning said. "One day, he showed up and just said he wasn't going to be back anymore. And when I questioned him about that, he told me that he was going back to live in the hospital for his illness."
Damien has a kidney disorder called FSGS, which requires treatment for 12 hours each day. He is in great need of a new kidney. According to Lanning, the 13-year-old wasn't suitable for a transplant because he is homeless. "When you're living in the hospital, you're not able to be on the transplant list because folks who don't have stable housing are considered high risk for them," Lanning said.
Damien ended up in the foster care system due to his medical needs. When a suitable home couldn't be found, he was forced to live in the hospital. During that time, he couldn't leave to attend school.
"As I learned more about his story and what he was facing and what his needs were, it just became really hard for me to look the other way;" Lanning said. Lanning decided to step in, and despite not having any children of his own, he offered to take Damien in.
"It's going good," said Damien. He has also been moved to the top of the waiting list for a new kidney. He is hoping he can have the transplant within the next two weeks. In addition to a second chance at life, he is also getting a second chance at having a family.
