When Caitlin Jackson enters Protective Stadium for Children’s Harbor’s and UAB Football’s Champions for Our Children game, her name emblazoned on a player’s jersey, she brings with her a story of resilience, courage, and the strength that defines so many young lives served by Children’s Harbor.
Caitlin’s journey began with an unexpected and challenging diagnosis. In December 2022, after months of health setbacks and misdiagnoses, Caitlin, then just 15, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Her symptoms began with a lingering cough and shortness of breath after a bout with COVID-19 that August. Despite multiple tests, her doctors struggled to pinpoint the cause of her deteriorating health. As the school year continued, Caitlin—who participated actively in color guard—started fainting during practices and performances. “We thought something was wrong with her heart,” said her mother, Stephanie, recalling weeks of stress tests and medications that yielded few answers.
By November, Caitlin’s health had worsened, with rapid weight loss and unusual thirst. Finally, on the night of December 13, her family discovered her glucose level had skyrocketed. Caitlin was immediately taken to the hospital, where she was stabilized with insulin and ultimately diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Since then, Caitlin has worked tirelessly to manage her condition, aided by life-changing technology like the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor and the Omnipod 5 insulin pump. Her hard work and commitment to managing her health have paid off—her A1C levels have been perfect at every follow-up.
Through this journey, Children’s Harbor’s Family Center in Birmingham has played an essential role, offering Caitlin and her family a place of comfort and support. Children’s Harbor was first recommended by a social worker shortly after Caitlin’s diagnosis. Since then, the Harbor has become a haven, providing counseling services and emotional support that have been invaluable to Caitlin. “ We and Caitlin were originally referred to Children’s Harbor for counseling/therapy. Caitlin has dealt with a lot of events in her life (besides her diabetes diagnosis) and decided she was ready to open up to someone other than myself or another family member who could give her unbiased and professional medical advice on how to cope with her feelings and behavior. Leah (Caitlin’s counselor) has been absolutely wonderful in helping her navigate her emotions and giving her exercises to transition into adulthood,” Stephanie shared. “We are both so grateful for her.”
Caitlin’s favorite activity at the Harbor’s Birmingham campus? The claw machine, where she’s collected an impressive array of plush toys over the years.
As she looks forward to the Champions for Our Children game, Caitlin’s excitement is palpable. Caitlin has been on the color guard since her freshman year of high school; now a senior, she is most excited about watching the marching bands perform their halftime shows. This game will be Caitlin and her siblings’ first college football experience, and they are all eager to cheer on Jacob Zeno, UAB’s quarterback and Caitlin’s player match, and the UAB Blazers from the stands. It’s a night of celebration and connection that brings Caitlin’s journey full circle, connecting her love for color guard with the support of her community.
Through partnerships like the UAB Champions for Our Children game, Children’s Harbor continues its mission to support seriously ill children and their families, providing essential services at no cost. Caitlin’s story, like so many others, is a testament to the resilience of young patients and the power of community in helping them thrive.
