Man Loses 60 Pounds To Donate Kidney To Twin Brother
When James Ingley found out his twin brother needed a kidney transplant, he immediately set to lose the weight in order to be a viable donor.
When James Ingley found out his twin brother Dalton needed a kidney transplant, he didn’t think twice before stepping in to donate his.
“It was the most important thing I had to do,” James, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, told TODAY. “I felt like if I had the chance, I would do whatever I could.”
The pair of identical twins have always had an unbreakable bond. They’d switch places in class to play jokes on their teachers as kids and they always call each other simultaneously.
His brother received alarming news
Dalton was in his mid-twenties when he went into an annual physical exam for work and found out his blood pressure was through the roof.
At nearly 200/180, it was considered an emergency.
“They rushed me to the hospital ... for stroke-like conditions,” Dalton, now 29, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, said. “They told me, ‘Well it looks like you have a kidney issue.’”
Dalton couldn’t believe what he was hearing because he felt absolutely fine.
I was like, “How can I be in kidney failure? I’m not sick,’” he said. “At the time it was like a shock. How is this happening to me, a 26-year-old?”
It turned out that Dalton had glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney’s filters. Luckily, the condition is not inherited in most cases, but it is a leading cause of kidney failure.
Despite being very sick, his kidneys continued to work well until he started home dialysis in April 2017.
The treatment helped for nearly a year until he fell sick with pneumonia and changed to hemodialysis. Dalton had to quit his job and doctors told him that he needed a kidney transplant.
There was no second thought
When he brought it up with his brother James, who was an obvious potential candidate, there was zero hesitation.
I don’t think I ever really did ask him to donate. He automatically said yes.
Dalton to Today
James was ready to do whatever it took to help him and to qualify as a donor, he was told he would have to lose weight.
At 299 pounds, he worked as a traveling manager for a hotel which meant he spent long days on the road and relied heavily on fast food.
“I would be in my car or an airplane six days of the week so that's not really (great) for your health,” James said.
He lost the weight without anyone's help
Motivated to make some changes, he was offered dietician services through the hospital, but James decided to go about it on his own.
To start, he took on a different job and switched to being an on-site hotel manager, so he travelled less. Then, he started eliminating sugary drinks from his diet and before he knew it, he was starting to notice and feel the effects.
“My whole life sort of just changed,” he said.
James added more fruits and vegetables to his diet and started taking small steps to be more active, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
I was able to exercise more consistently when I was placed at a local hotel.
He was amazed at how much his sleep improved since he stopped traveling for work.
“I was getting normal sleep time," he said. "I would go to bed around 9 or 10 at night wake up at 6 or 7 in the morning."
All of his efforts paid off and he was able to lose 60 pounds before the date of the transplant.
“The fact that I needed to donate a kidney made it so I’ve been able just to change,” said James.
The successful surgery took place in May 2018 and Dalton has been thriving ever since. “I’m feeling great,” said Dalton.
An inspiring lesson
James feels happy and proud that he could help his brother, while making healthier life choices for himself.
“It's a chance, an opportunity to do something for your fellow man, person, stranger, neighbor, family member and I think I did what everyone else would have done,” said James. “There’s nothing more special and rewarding.”
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.