Author: The County Journal

Deb Malewski Contributing Writer Franklin South, 16, known by friends and family as “Frankie,” has had kidney disease his entire life. Born prematurely to a troubled mom with substance abuse issues, Frankie faced a very uncertain future. That future was made brighter in 2005 when Rob and Dawn South of Eaton Rapids adopted Frankie and his siblings, Leah, and Bennett (Bennie). All three children, though, require attention to varying special needs.  Frankie’s needs have increased as he’s gotten older, and now he is left with few choices to combat his failing kidney — dialysis or a kidney transplant. Complicating the matter, Frankie’s most serious issues involve his emotional dysfunction. He has difficulty dealing with the world, at home and at school. He attends Meadowview School in Charlotte to help him with his special needs. His emotional issues have resulted in dialysis being only a last resort option. He would have a very hard time emotionally handling dialysis, his parents feel, and it would add another layer of stress for the entire family due to the distance and time needed. This leaves a kidney transplant as the only viable solution; a half a million-dollar option, most of which would be covered by Medicaid, Michigan’s Special Healthcare Services, and Social Security. With stage 5-kidney disease and his remaining kidney function starting to decline, Frankie is high on the transplant list, but still...