Age: 6
Age at T1D diagnosis: 6

Kennedy was diagnosed with T1D in September at age 6. About one month later, she was asked to return to the same hospital to visit with the patients. She was joined by the local SWAT team, who dressed as superheroes for Halloween. As the newly named patient champion for the local children’s hospital network, she loves encouraging other kids to “be their own superhero and be brave!”  Something she had to learn herself.

After one week of insulin injections and monitoring her blood sugar post-diagnosis, Kennedy returned to kindergarten and played soccer on the weekends. She even scored her first goal that very week! However, as she moved to the insulin pump, site changes became her challenge. She overcame her fears by dancing to “Shake It Off” by her favorite artist, Taylor Swift.  In November, Kennedy received her diabetic alert dog named Kona. He alerts her when he smells her high and low blood sugars. Kennedy and Kona make a great team. At a recent visit to the veterinarian, she turned and said, “I want to be a doctor for animals when I grow up!”