Kierra Walsh is a girlie girl, very loving, independent and, according to her grandmother Tracey Walsh, has insight far beyond what you’d expect in a typical 6-year-old.

Lately, though, Kierra’s life has been filled with events a typical 6-year-old shouldn’t have to face — doctor visits, hospital stays, endless tests, pain. At an age when it can be a fight to get a spoonful of medicine down, Kierra has become expert at swallowing her pills — three times a day.