My Kidney Story & Six Words
A real story of addiction, recovery, faith, and what happens when you literally give a piece of your life away.
I’m Vincent La Padula — a recovering addict, once homeless, now a living kidney donor through the Paired Donor Program, and an award-nominated magician. My kidney story didn’t start in a hospital. It started at rock bottom.
This talk and performance share how a life that felt completely broken was slowly rebuilt — and how that road eventually led to a simple, crazy question: “What if I could help save someone else’s life?”
The journey ends with my signature routine, Six Words — a powerful, award-nominated magic piece that visually captures the cost, beauty, and miracle of sacrificial giving.
From Broken to Giving
My story includes addiction, homelessness, and hitting rock bottom. It also includes recovery, returning to faith, restored relationships, and eventually, kidney donation.
I didn’t wake up one day and decide, “I want to donate a kidney.” It was a series of small, halting yeses: yes to getting help, yes to accountability, yes to community, yes to a new identity, and eventually, yes to the idea that my life could be used to literally help someone else live.
Through the Paired Donor Program, my kidney didn’t go to the person I originally planned — it went to someone I will probably never meet. That’s part of what makes this story so powerful: the ripple effect of one act of generosity.
Six Words is the magic routine born out of that journey. It’s not just a trick — it’s a living illustration of sacrifice, grace, and the kind of love that costs you something and gives back more than you can measure.
“A Powerful Story of Giving.”
— Event Attendee
“Amazing storytelling. Love how you took us on this journey!”
— Audience Feedback
Who This Talk Is For
My kidney story and Six Words resonate deeply in rooms where courage, compassion, and second chances matter.
- Medical and transplant teams
- Hospitals, transplant centers, and donor networks
- Nonprofits focused on organ donation, recovery, or mental health
- Faith communities exploring sacrifice, grace, and calling
- Conferences and events centered on resilience, wellness, and hope
It’s not a sterile medical talk. It’s a deeply human story — a mix of vulnerability, humor, faith, and a powerful magical illustration that people remember long after the event.
Bring “Six Words” and My Kidney Story to Your Event
If you want your audience to feel something real — to be challenged, moved, and inspired to live and give differently — this is the program. My mess has become my message, and I’d be honored to share it with your people.
You can use the contact form HERE, or reach me directly:
📧 Vincent@VincentDoesMagic.com
📞 410.652.6968
I personally respond to every inquiry. Let’s see how we can make your next event the one people can’t stop talking about.