Active boy’s life includes raising diabetes awareness
November is Diabetes Awareness month and Bailey Wills knows that better than anyone. He was diagnosed with Type I juvenile diabetes when he was 10 months old. Now 6, Bailey has been on an insulin pump since he was 3 and is proficient at poking his fingers to check his blood sugar. Bailey also counts carbohydrates and must be aware of how he is feeling at all times.
Recently he was put on a continuous glucose monitoring system, which takes a blood glucose reading every five minutes and sounds an alarm if it goes out of normal range.
Bailey is active in the Spokane Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. “He was a 2006 youth ambassador for the foundation,” said his grandmother, Jackie Wills, “His family team, Bailey’s Brigade, raised over $8,000 for the September Walk for a Cure, and he has appeared in four television public service announcements promoting awareness for this life threatening condition. He is an inspiration to all of us.”
He has earned three awards for his money-raising efforts, and met U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris at an event.
While equipment is always attached to him, Bailey is a normal kid.
“His disease does not define him,” said his mother, Shea Wills. He enjoys swimming, karate, riding his bike, bugs and animals.
“I want to take care of wildlife,” he said, “to help save our world.”
Bailey is outgoing and extremely active. Between his regular health checks, he bounces around, discussing sea creatures, dinosaurs, his bike, karate moves and jet airplanes. He is quick to pick up a basketball or climb a tree while always remaining mindful of his condition, positive that a cure is right around the corner.
“When Bailey was diagnosed, the doctors said that a cure may be 10 years away,” said his mother, “and that was six years ago … until we find a cure for this terrible disease, we will continue to check blood sugars, change infusion sets, upgrade to the latest technology and raise money and awareness for JDRF… and you will probably find Bailey hunting for bugs and riding his bike, patiently waiting for the day the cure arrives.”