She may be small, but she is mighty!
Born at just 24 weeks and weighing in at 1lb 3oz, Emma was born a micro-preemie, facing oral and motor challenges and uncertainty over what her journey to childhood might look like.
During her four-month stay at the NICU, she earned the nickname “Princess Emma” – a moniker that has stuck with her since for her effortless charm, innate curiosity and fierce determination to tackle the many challenges thrown her way.
When Emma was finally brought home from the hospital, her life-saving equipment came with her, including a feeding tube, oxygen monitor, and a low flow nasal cannula. Her Mom, Katherine, and Dad, Corey, had to learn how to use the complex, hospital-grade equipment while staying up around the clock to ensure Emma wouldn’t disconnect her feeding tube or get tangled in the cords as she moved in her sleep. Luckily, Joya stepped in as soon as Emma was discharged to provide their services and support for the whole family.
“It was a lot of work to learn the equipment and learn about Emma’s unique needs,” explained Emma’s Mom Katherine.
“The team at Joya were such a help as we worked out what development on ‘Emma Time’ looked like. They helped us identify what was normal, what goals to work on, and what to be concerned by. The therapists were always compassionate with my sleep deprived questions and flexible with needing to do virtual visits if we were sick.”
When Emma started at Joya three years ago, she was non vocal and non-mobile with complete oral aversion. Recently in October 2022, Emma was able to have her feeding tube removed, which was her last physical intervention. Physical therapy has also helped Emma’s strength and mobility so she can explore the world around her. She now loves climbing, scaling the rock wall at the library, chasing around her older brother, Kaleb, expressing herself creatively through art and taking care of her babydolls.
And, when Emma was recently tested for preschool placement, she tested at the advanced speech level of a four-year-old.
“Our little warrior princess has conquered so much in her short three years of life so far, and Joya was a big part of that. Emma’s struggles – failing to thrive, the tubes, the surgery to place the tubes – are all things I wish she never had to go through. But I am so grateful for the help we received and now she is thriving, living out her nickname of ‘Princess Emma’ as we sail the rough, choppy waters of life with a ‘three-nager.’”
*Originally published in March 2023
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