ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WJAR) — When you ask people about 12-year-old Kailey Senn, they share very kind things.
“Kailey has an abundance of energy,” said Saint John The Evangelist School Athletic Director Kris Carrier.
“She is a very strong little girl,” said Principal Kathleen Jones.
That same little girl, at 7-years-old, was lying sick in a hospital bed.
Kailey Senn, 12, spoke with NBC 10’s Abbey Buttacavoli. (WJAR)
“It was horrible because it was during COVID, and the doctors chalked it up to COVID,” said Kailey’s mother Kimberly Senn.
Her parents continued to fight for answers.
“She was basically on the verge of a coma, and as a mom, you know when something is wrong with your child,” said Senn.
It was at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence where doctors finally discovered what was wrong.
“I have Type 1 diabetes,” said Kailey.
Type 1 diabetes is a condition an estimated two million Americans live with in the United States.
“It means that my pancreas stopped working when I was younger, and I have to give myself insulin through a pump,” said Kailey.
The seventh grader manages her diabetes with the help of her village at home and at school.
The attends Saint John The Evangelist Catholic School in Attleboro, where students usually wear uniforms.
Four years ago, Kailey asked school leaders if her classmates could ditch their uniforms for a small donation on World Diabetes Day in November, and instead wear blue.
They agreed, and every year their school gymnasium is a sea of blue for morning prayer. Kailey also makes a speech in front of the school of 250 students about diabetes.
“It’s amazing that she can get up in front of a crowd and speak about something that can really be debilitating for some other people, but she’s a rockstar,” said school nurse Sarah Cambridge.
To date, Kailey’s dress-down day has raised about $4,700 for Breakthrough T1D: a type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization which funds research for the development of new therapies and treatments for type 1 diabetes.
“My goal is $5,000!” said Kailey.
Saint John The Evangelist School Athletic Director Kris Carrier. (WJAR)
Kailey loves to play sports and be outside. Some of her favorite activities include playing basketball, volleyball, surfing, and skiing.
“I still do everything else like everybody,” said Kailey
“It hasn’t stopped her one bit. She’s an impressive young lady,” said Carrier.
A good reminder that obstacles are put in our path to overcome.
“She’s not the kid that crawls up in bed and says I can’t do this. She goes and does it.” said Senn.
“She’s amazing. We are so proud of her,” said Senn
“There’s no doubt that diabetes has made Kailey Stronger,” said Jones.