Courtney (13 years old) has been dealing with chronic illnesses since she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis with polyarticular tendencies, TMJ, ethesitis, and ankylosing spondylitis at four years old. One year later, she was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. At age nine, a heart defect and myasthenia gravis was discovered.

Courtney is quite a musician and athlete. She loves playing the cello and viola, volleyball, and cheerleading. She loves being active and busy.

Courtney believes in giving back to her community. She did a food drive through her school collecting about 200 food items each week for four weeks. She has a little business to help out her elderly neighbors — she bakes for them, helps with weeding, and hangs out with one neighbor just to play Ping-Pong and bake cookies.

When she was six, she testified for the “Step Therapy Bill” in Indiana. She said, “I didn’t want other kids to have to use meds that their parents and docs know won’t work just because insurance companies say so.” It actually passed on her seventh birthday, and Vice President Pence signed it into law shortly after.

Courtney also loves helping out the Ronald McDonald House. She puts together “To-Go Snack Bags” and “Hygiene Bags” because some families have unexpected or long stays with their children in the hospital. She has collected over 800,000 pop tabs from her school and neighbors for donation.

Do you know an amazing kid with chronic illness who gives back to the community? Nominate them at ppf@purpleplayasfoundation.com