pictured from left to right: Reece Wright, Laynie Wright

Reece Wright celebrating the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis.

Laynie Wright celebrating the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis.

pictured from left to right: Laynie Wright, Tristan Wright, Scarlett Wright, Autumn Weatherhead, Reece Wright

Jul 09, 2024

patient story

Reece and Laynie Wright

meet these type 1 twins

patients names: Reece and Laynie Wright

age: 3

condition: type 1 diabetes

seen in: endocrinology

provider: Krishnamallika Mutyala, MD

Reece and Laynie surely live up to their title as twins. They have spent their young lives by each other’s sides, even facing type 1 diabetes together. While their parents, Autumn and Tristan, were initially worried about how their lives would change following the twins’ diagnoses, Dayton Children’s Hospital staff helped them navigate their new normal. 

Reece’s journey with Dayton Children’s begins

In February 2022, 7-month-old Reece was taken to the emergency department at Dayton Children’s after her parents noticed she wasn’t acting like her typical, happy self. She seemed dehydrated, and her tongue felt dry. After sharing these symptoms with Reece’s care team, they began performing bloodwork. Typically, a child’s blood sugar can range from 70-140 mg/dL, but Reece’s was 927 mg/dL. She was experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition that happens when the body uses fat for energy instead of glucose. Reece was then diagnosed with type 1 and admitted to Dayton Children’s to treat her symptoms. Dr. Krishnamallika Mutyala cared for Reece and her family from the very beginning, making sure they all felt in-the-know as they started their type 1 education. 

Laynie’s journey with Dayton Children’s begins

Ten months after Reece’s diagnosis, Laynie was frequently wetting through her diapers and acting tired, yet fussy. Because of this unusual behavior, Laynie’s parents checked her blood sugar. When the test showed that Laynie's blood sugar was significantly over a child’s typical range, Autumn and Tristan immediately took her to Dayton Children’s. When they arrived, Laynie was surrounded by familiar faces. She was diagnosed with type 1 by Dr. Mutyala and the same care team that diagnosed Reece. Laynie stayed at Dayton Children’s to be monitored and make sure her blood sugar leveled, but her endocrinology team sent her home the next day, confident in her parents' ability to ensure both her and Reece remained in good health. 

understanding type 1 

Reece and Laynie’s parents credit Dr. Mutyala and the diabetes care team for giving their family outstanding care. After the twins’ diagnoses, Autumn and Tristan were able to learn about diabetes at the pace they needed, asking questions along the way. From social workers that go “above and beyond to find ways to help” to doctors that “trust wholeheartedly that we’ve got Reece and Laynie’s care handled,” the parents feel validated by the continued support offered by the hospital.  

“Dr. Mutayla and the diabetes team made sure to regularly check in on us and replied in a timely manner. This made things easier and less stressful,” Autumn said. 

twin-specific care 

Once Autumn and Tristan were comfortable managing the twins’ care, Reece and Laynie were both prescribed a Dexcom G6 to manage their blood sugar and automatically dose insulin throughout the day. Having two similar, but specific care plans made it difficult for the parents to manage both twins’ conditions. As a result, they turned to technology.  

Using two iPhones helps keep each twin’s health information separate and simplified, Autumn said. While Reece’s tech is decorated with a pink case, Laynie’s is decorated with a blue one. The devices’ settings and apps help the twins’ parents and other caretakers differentiate Reece and Laynie’s needs. 

“Autumn and Tristan deserve recognition for how they handle Reece and Laynie’s care. Despite the challenges of caring for two type 1 kids, their attention to detail makes it seem like a breeze,” Dr. Mutyala said. 

moving forward 

"Reece and Laynie have handled their diagnoses with more grace than we could have ever imagined,” Autumn said. Both parents take pride in the entire family’s effort to take care of the twins. Two years after their diagnoses, Reece and Laynie are back to being active and doing the things they love.