As Leani Tell begins her school day from home, her "robot double" joins her friends in her first-grade classroom. 

Leani Tell has spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic neuromuscular disease that causes muscles to become weak and waste away. 

Leani Tell is susceptible to respiratory illness, so her robot, one of four provided by the Madison Metropolitan School District, allows her to attend school while staying medically safe. 

"The teacher here [at her home] helps keep her on track with the teacher that's in the classroom. So she's doing the same things as her peers and has the same materials here and then we just adapt it to what her physical strengths are," said Nichole Fritts, Leani Tell's mom.

The Telepresence robot has been a game-changer for Leani Leani Tell's parents.

"Yes, she would not be able to really participate in a classroom without this technology," said Fritts. 

A device called Eye Gaze allows Leani Tell to communicate, because she doesn't have the physical strength to speak.

It helps Leani Tell not only show off her sassy personality, but she can also communicate just like your average six-year-old.

The robot allows Leani Tell to socialize with her friends and be present with them at school. Her dad said it's priceless.

"Yeah, it means everything. She has a better life and it just warms my heart to know that my child can get what she wants and what she needs out of life," said Dwight Tell, her dad.

And that, her parents said, is by far the best gift any parent can ask for.​