by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
Ta’Kayla Taylor of White Stone approaches her battle with ulcerative colitis like most every challenge in her life, with a positive attitude and a big smile.
“Kayla was always a happy girl, dancing around, laughing and smiling about everything,” said her mother, Tracey Taylor. “And I’m finally seeing that again. It’s a blessing. I’m so thankful she’s right back dancing around the house.”
Last summer, after dealing with weeks of stomach pains, weight loss and passing blood, Ta’Kayla fainted during a church service. Following a trip to the emergency room and then to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the large intestine, or colon.
Ulcerative colitis occurs as a result of an abnormal response by the body’s immune system…