What’s in a smile? Joy, kindness, a ray of sunshine on a rainy day. Four-year-old Kendall Layous has that kind of smile. Bring in her equally delightful sister, parents Shonda and Brad, and the family simply lights up a room – or a Walk. Kendall was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) just two days after her second birthday, but her smile has not faded. “Kendall continues to amaze us with her strength and resilience. She will not let T1D stop her from being a sweet, fun playful four- year-old girl,” says Brad.

The Layous family had a lot to get used to in those early days after Kendall’s diagnosis. “Type 1 diabetes is a very misunderstood disease and one where individuals and families can silently suffer in a world of so many people not understanding what it is like to deal with the highs and lows and short and long term side effects and risks with the disease,” says Shonda. Friends and family rallied around Kendall and they decided to take action. In 2012 Team Kendoo was formed and since then they have raised an impressive $32,201. The outpouring of support and the tremendous camaraderie they experience on Walk day has kept them coming back, now for their third year.

“Everyone in our ‘village’ comes on walk day to support us. We are very fortunate to have both of our immediate families and our best friends join us on this special day and help us with our fundraising efforts,” says Shonda. “Our family and close friends give us unbelievable strength and support to help us with all the curve balls that T1D throws our way.”

The tight knit T1D community is very meaningful to the Layous family. “We became a JDRF Mentor Family this past year as we want to be more involved with the JDRF organization and help newly diagnosed families get started off on the right foot,” says Shonda. They seem to inspire everyone they meet, including staff members of our Chapter. “From the beginning, I saw Brad, Shonda, Addison and of course, Kendall, tackle their new life with T1D head-on, with ever-persistent optimism and a fierce determination to not let this disease stop them in their tracks,” says Simone Price, JDRF Bay Area Development Manager, Outreach.

The Walk motivated the Layous family get involved with JDRF and they plan to participate until a cure is found. “We firmly believe in the mission of JDRF and we applaud the research being done to better treat, prevent and cure T1D. We know our money is going to an amazing cause,” says Shonda.

Join Team Kendoo at the JDRF Walk this year and help create a world without T1D. The Walk will inspire you, and when you see the difference you can make for someone like Kendall, it will make you smile.