Clinton Smith

“I don’t live my life like I’m going to die,” said Clinton Smith of Mount Peasant. “I don’t like to think about it.” Clinton had one of his kidneys removed when he was seven-years-old. Today, Clinton’s remaining kidney only functions at 20 percent. “When I have ‘real’ kidney pain it is like someone kicked me right in the back.” When the pain exceeds beyond Clinton’s pain threshold, it limits him from going about his daily activities.

Clinton holds a picture of him and his first born son that he had when we was 21 years old. Clinton grew up in the suburbs in Detroit near 8 mile road in a lower middle class society. “I grew up in a disfunctional family,” said Clinton. “My old man was an alcoholic, my mom was a very religious Roman Catholic and there were four kids that were in charge of me, I was extra baggage living their life till I decided to split.”

Clinton is on three different pain medications such as Allopurinal, Colchicin, and Neurontin to help him with his kidney failure as well as five other medications to help control his blood pressure. “The drugs tend to slow me down and make me a little lethargic, it feels like I have glass in my joints because the kidney doesn’t do it’s job.”

Clinton cleans his apartment while his friend Mike plays the guitar. “I enjoy his company and I like the feeling of security I have when I am with him.” Mike helps Clinton with cleaning his apartment and carrying groceries for him because of Clinton’s condition. Mike’s last name is withheld for confidentiality reasons.

“The better care I take of myself, naturally the longer I can stretch it out,” Clinton said. “That almost gets pretty ridiculous and mundane after a while.” Clinton and Mike sit down to a chicken, vegetable and rice dinner.

Clinton’s main means of transportation around Mount Pleasant is the Isabella County Transportation Commission buses. Because of all side effects the medication have on Clinton he is not able to drive. “The buses are fairly prompt and the bus drivers are very courteous and polite and it’s a great service to the community.”

Clinton and Mike play a game of pool at Chippewa Lanes. This was the first game of pool Clinton has played in 8 years because of the condition he is in.

“My ankles swell so bad that I can hardly walk on them,” says Clinton about his enlarged heart as he vacuums the carpet. “My heart doesn’t pump the fluids properly through my system because of my enlarged heart.”

“Music has been a big part in my life since I was a child.” Clinton plays familiar songs of musicians he listened to growing up to Alan on the guitar. “I don’t have the energy to keep up with those musicians anymore but I still enjoy playing.”

Clinton checks his blood sugar to make sure it is not too high. Clinton is a type 2 diabetic. “ I have been able to control what I eat, I’ve been good at monitoring the amount of sugar and carbohydrates I consume.”

“They (his family) used to tell me when I was younger, ‘You’re living on borrowed time, CLANTON’ I didn’t understand that, I was just living my life,” said Clinton. “But as I look back I can see what they were telling me.” Clinton says his family was trying to make him live a life he didn’t want to live when he was younger.