Two years ago, Kensley Woodberry developed a pain in her feet that brought her to tears. Rashes began appearing on her knees and elbows and wouldn’t heal. A few weeks later, the usually active kindergartener became lethargic and showed signs of depression. Eventually, she stopped eating.

Alarmed, her parents, Mandy and Tyren Woodberry, brought her to Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia, where rheumatology specialists diagnosed her with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). The condition causes inflammation of the skin and muscles. After treatment with steroids and physical therapy, Kensley began to remarkably improve.

Now 9, Kensley is a happy and active second grader. She will always live with JDM and still tires easily, but she is back to enjoying her friends and family.

For the Woodberrys, who live in North Augusta, having a children’s hospital close to home means they can get Kensley to treatment conveniently and safely.

“Having to drive a long distance to get a treatment would have been hard, and we don’t have to worry about that,” Mandy Woodberry said.