

Emma's Story
Emma is 6 years old and was born premature with chronic lung disease. She was born at 24 weeks, weighing 1 lb, 6.6 ozs and only 11 inches long. She tried numerous medicines and ventilators until the decision was made to put in a trach to help her airway, and a g-tube to help her eat. She spent 222 days in Maynard Children's Hospital before coming home for the first time with a ventilator and oxygen, which she was later weaned off. The doctors tried to remove her trach, however Emma could not tolerate it out and had surgery again to put the trach back in spending another long month in the hospital. She has a procedure every 3 to 6 months to check how her airway and lungs are doing. Emma sometimes has to be put back on oxygen as a simple cold is harsh for her. Her trach is currently capped, but it'll be awhile before the doctors will know if the trach can eventually be removed. With the cap, Emma is able to speak, but also knows sign language as that was her initial form of communication.
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Emma loves to dance to Michael Jackson. She's always been a happy, loving little girl, who always has a bright smile. She is an inspiration to everyone she meets.