I'm Kaylaa', nice to meet you!
Kaylaa’ White’s journey with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been anything but linear. Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in May 2020 at seventeen, she tried various treatments, she ultimately underwent a three-step IPAA/J-pouch surgery—only for complications to turn three surgeries into six. Now living with Crohn’s disease and a permanent ileostomy, Kaylaa’ has transformed her experience into a powerful source of advocacy and storytelling.
Throughout her journey, she has faced medical trauma, the minimization of her symptoms, and the harsh reality of misinformation surrounding IBD. As a member of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation's National Council of College Leaders, she is committed to helping others navigate these same challenges while promoting diversity and inclusion in the IBD community.
A writer and creative at heart, Kaylaa’ is currently pursuing a BFA in Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She published her first poetry book “All The Things I Never Said” during her senior year of high school. Kaylaa’ uses her platform to foster meaningful conversations about chronic illness, resilience, and representation, creating spaces that educate, empower, and drive connection. When she’s not writing, you can find her curating playlists, collecting vinyl records, or getting lost in a book via her media club Chronically, The Illest. She’s so excited to be this year’s Take Steps, Richmond Honored Hero! To follow her journey and advocacy work, connect with her on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok @wildflouwir.