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 but it was the most beautiful thingsI had ever heard.
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 12 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. That includes her younger sister Erin, who has been there so much for her sibling in more ways than should be expected of someone her age. She will always been there for her sister. They have all 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. TopSports of Harrison Township, a non-profit organization in NJ that provides children with special needs a chance to play sports at no cost with the help of trained buddies has been another blessing. They have helped open yet another door for her.
The entire region, it seems has embraced Emma and the struggles she and her fellows Autism warriors face. The wonderful people with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Eagles have been tremendous and provided opportunities for Emma that she may not have had. Over at the Preston & Steve Show and WMMR, they have some of the most supportive and understanding people you would ever want to meet. We can’t thank Preston, Steve, Nick, Casey, Kathy, Marisa, Jacky Bam Bam and everyone at the station enough. We listen with pride.
Emma has had several angels enter her life and affected her in such positive ways. One of those angels was Mr. Shane, a musician from Blue Light Digital Sound's music program. Teacher, therapist, coach, etc… don’t properly describe who he his and what he’s meant to Emma. He’s much more than that. Mr. Shane has helped open a world that may otherwise have remained closed. It has been all of the people we have described her that have helped shape Emma into the strong 12 year old she is. It is scary to think about what life would be like right now without the help she has received from all of these sources.
The Eagles Autism Challenge is about making sure that children with Autism don’t get left behind and get the help and opportunities that they need. What that help is different for each child and the Challenge wants to make sure that every option is researched and opportunity provided. 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.
We will again be offering bracelets and key chains, hand beaded by Emma this year for $5.00. Below, you will see several photos of various items Emma has beaded over the years, including bracelets honoring the Eagles, the Phillies, WMMR's Campout for Hunger, etc... If you are interested any of the items that you see, message us through this page and we can provide some additional images and details of the beads Emma has available.
