reporter: for both, the journey wasn t easy you were 13 when you got pregnant, right? i was 13 when i gave birth, yes. luckily, this is the outcome of it. i didn t let it stop me reporter: the young mother persevered and sacrificed, earning one degree all the way to ph.d. inspiring her daughter all the way what was your mom like growing up i don t think i remember her sleeping. she was always on the go still like that to this day anything i had going on, she was there. reporter: when she was diagnosed with a chronic bowel diseas at 9 years old, kawanda quit her job to take care of her, and then joined the sheriff s department i remember her saying, if i m strong, then it s going to show you that young be strong, too. reporter: katraya has been hospitalized more than 90 times in 2020 she lost the ability to walk. last year, she had major surgery. so it was stunning this january when she started the grueling training to become a law enforcement officer, being sworn in just