KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team and head coach Kathy Leitke announced the signing of 10-year-old Jillian Abbott to the team. In a ceremony attended by Jillian, her family and the Bronco softball team, Abbott signed a National Letter of Intent, joining the team through the help of the nonprofit organization Team IMPACT.
Abbott is affected by Crohn's disease, an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract that can have debilitating impacts on everyday life. It has no known cure. The disease carries with it lifelong symptoms and complications, as well as frequent treatment and therapies to help ease the conditions.