For Chris, ice hockey has been a huge part of his life for 24 years. Having first discovered the sport whilst growing up in the United Arab Emirates, Chris has spent much of his life playing ice hockey and enjoying the friendships and team spirit that come with it.
However, following a kidney transplant in May 2025, Chris faced the possibility of never being able to play the sport he loved again.
At the age of 30, Chris was diagnosed with a degenerative kidney disorder which doctors believe had gone undetected for around 14 years. Over the following years, his kidney function deteriorated significantly, falling from 38% to just 3%.
In an incredible act of generosity, one of Chris’s ice hockey teammates volunteered to be tested as a potential kidney donor. On 31st May 2025, Chris received a kidney transplant from his teammate, giving him the opportunity to regain his health and return to everyday life.
Despite the successful transplant, Chris was advised that returning to ice hockey might not be possible due to the position of his new kidney. Standard ice hockey protective equipment does not provide sufficient padding around the area where the transplanted kidney is located, leaving Chris facing the prospect of giving up a sport that had been part of his life for more than two decades.
Determined to explore whether there was a solution, Chris approached Dressability to see if a specialist clothing adaptation could help.
Our experienced dressmakers worked closely with Chris to design and create a bespoke undergarment featuring a specially positioned pocket to hold a solid plastic and foam protective pad over his transplanted kidney.
The garment was designed to be worn underneath his existing ice hockey equipment, helping to keep the additional padding securely in place whilst allowing Chris to move comfortably on the ice.
We’re delighted that Chris has since been able to return to playing ice hockey, rejoining his teammates and enjoying the sport that has meant so much to him over the years.
Speaking about his experience, Chris said:
“Thanks to this pad pocket I have been able to return to the Ice and have been able to regain the team bond that has kept me going to the rink for 24 years. Without the help of the people at Dressability I would not have been able to return to the Ice and my team.”
Since returning to ice hockey, Chris has also been in contact with David Ayres in the USA, who has played in the NHL following a kidney transplant. David kindly signed a jersey for both Chris and his kidney donor, recognising their shared connection through the sport.
Chris was particularly keen to highlight that this story belongs to both him and his donor, whose remarkable generosity made his return to the ice possible.
At Dressability, we work with people who have a wide range of disabilities, medical conditions and individual clothing requirements. Chris’s experience is a wonderful example of how a relatively simple but carefully considered clothing adaptation can make a significant difference, helping someone continue enjoying an activity that is important to them.
We would like to thank Chris for sharing his story and allowing us to highlight the difference our work can make, and recognise the extraordinary generosity of his teammate.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a specialist clothing alteration or adaptation, please contact Dressability on 01793 512878 or email dressmaking@dressability.org.uk to find out how we may be able to help.
