In November of 1996, fifteen-and-a-half-year-old Aditya Raghavan complained of a headache-one that could not be soothed with over-the-counter pain relievers. His motherVasundhara took him to the doctor where more tests were conducted. What the doctor discovered-chronic kidney disease-would change Aditya’s life.

In Shades of Life, author VasundharaRamanujan tells of her son’s struggles with renal failure and the subsequent effects that his disease had on his life. The story traces the major stages of the progression of his disease and at each stage offers a glimpse into the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of renal disease.

This series of chronological events shows how both mindsets of Aditya and his family collectively evolved until they were able to comprehend, accept, and eventually find the courage to overcome the challenges and continue leading a positive and meaningful life.Vasundhara candidly tells this story to help others appreciate the enormity of the disease, to help them be prepared to meet the ordeal, and to help them find a life-saving solution.