PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — There's a lot of laughing and smiling in the Chesson home. Two-year-old Colton needed a kidney transplant. His parents' prayers were answered.
"It has changed our whole life as a family and we get to see our 2-year-old in a way that we have never seen him before," says mother Lisa Chesson.
It's all thanks to a major donation by Drew Schneider. The 21-year-old saw Lisa's social media post about her son needing a kidney transplant. Schneider realized her mother had met Lisa years ago. Schneider wanted to help.
"Well, actually, when I went and got tested, I said to my mom in the car a couple of days later, 'I feel like I'm a match,' " Schneider says.
The September 30 kidney surgery would bring the families back together.
Colton and Schneider are on the road to recovery. Schneider, who owns a cheerleading company, is almost back to her usual active lifestyle. And so far, Colton is adjusting well to his new kidney.
"A 2-year-old boy is being able to play games and bathe and be living with his family and go places because I was able to give him a kidney," Schneider says.
His mother is thankful.
"I don't think she will ever know how thankful we are," Lisa says. "My husband and I talk about it every night, we pray and thank God every night."
Schneider is hopeful Colton might get something else from her.
"Maybe he will get my attitude, unfortunately for Lisa, just kidding. Maybe he will get my attitude ... I'm a little spunky," Schneider says.
The family has many things to be thankful for. Over the summer, Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and says she is now doing well and has returned to work.
Schneider says she competes in beauty pageants and says her platform from now on will be encouraging people to become a living donor.
This story was originally published by Tania Rogers on WPTV.
