To buy a Philadelphia Eagles bracelet or keychain, hand beaded by Emma, click the donate button, enter the number based on how many items, $5 for 1, $10 for 2, etc...Write this in the note section. Provide an address you'd like them mailed to in a message so it’s kept private. Thank you!!!

     On May 19, 2018 I will join the entire Philadelphia Eagles organization and thousands of Philadelphia area residents who will ride, run or walk to raise funds for innovative research and programs to help unlock the mystery of autism. 100% of participant-raised funds will go directly towards autism research and programs at a coalition of leading institutions including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health. I need your support to reach my goal and assist those currently affected as well as future generations. 

As an added incentive; WMMR’s Preston & Steve Show have graciously donated a studio visit certificate that will be awarded to the individual or business with the largest single donation to the Emma’s Voice page. Preston, Steve, Casey, Nick, Kathy, Marissa and all of those involved with the show and the great WMMR radio station, including the one and only Jacky Bam Bam have been a great help in spreading the word about the struggles faced by children with Autism and the help they need. It was very emotional for us to see some of the bead bracelets Emma had made on display in the studio. The much needed smiles and laughs they provide when we were really need them are incredible alone. We cannot thank them enough. 

Emma’s Voice

     I used to sit a shower radio next to the tub while giving Emma a bath so that I could listen to Phillies games and did not think at all that she was paying attention to it. All she cared about was the bubbles, bath toys, etc..., right? Well, one night, a few years ago, the Phillies weren’t playing and the radio was not there. She noticed and said “Listen to baseball game.” It was the first sentence she ever spoke to me and I didn’t know what to say. It took years for the sentence to come out of her.

     We had scheduled to take Emma to her first Phillies game shortly after that but, as we had become accustomed to, a cruel roadblock was thrown at her. She became very ill the week before the game and we had to check her into C.H.O.P. If the sadness and cruelty of what she was going through with her sickness wasn’t bad enough, her hospital room window faced Citizens Bank Park and she sat in the windowsill at night and looked at the lights of the ballpark. She was remarkably calm and collected during that traumatic time and we said that if she can battle through this, so can we.

     Over the years we have struggled to find the voice we all knew was inside our beautiful Emma. She has experienced many ups and downs throughout her 11 years but has always found a way to let us know that nothing, whether it is Autism or sickness will ever stop her from moving forward and that her voice will be heard.

     Emma has the greatest grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, teachers, aides and friends anyone can ask for. They have done more than we can describe to help us along the way. No gesture has been too small. Someone inviting Emma to a birthday party knowing the challenges she faced, friends coming over to our house and not caring if we did not have time to clean up or grandparents putting their own lives on hold to make sure Emma is alright, for instance, have meant the world to us.

     One of the many sources of help Emma has received was The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Whether it was taking part in an EARLI study at the Center for Autism Research or the outstanding care they provided during a long hospital stay, they have really been there for us and we would like to give back. We all need help at some point and CHOP and Center for Autism Research are certainly there for those who need them. Help us make sure it stays that way.