Help Emmie Speak Again

On New Year’s Eve 2021, I received this harrowing text from my best friend: “Emmie got hit by a car. In the ER. Please send everything you have (spiritually) to get her through this.”

Emmie has defied the odds with her strength and resilience. Beyond fractures in the left clavicle, pelvis and femur and dislocated vertebra, Emmie suffered a traumatic brain injury. She and her devoted family have endured a year-long hospital stay that has seen many small victories and also some devasting setbacks. You can follow the details of the last year at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emmiezwack/journal On December 1, Emmie was finally able to go home (hurray!) albeit with a requirement for 24/7 in-home trained care.

Emmie’s light is shining brightly, and her voice is fighting to break through. With the loving support of her family, Emmie is working day by day to rebuild her brain connections so she can relearn how to move her body and use her voice. Emmie’s parents, Lynn and Paul, thought they could do this on their own financially. They politely declined when I asked if I could start a GoFundMe early last year. Now they are home and facing the reality of the uncovered expenses that are essential to Emmie’s continued recovery.

Examples of large expense items purchased and still needed include a parking pad and wheelchair-accessible sidewalk, a wheelchair-accessible van, an All Care Bed, a Lento Care Chair, and an electric Hoyer patient lift. She needs in-home therapies in addition to other uncovered in-home medical support.

Emmie has many surgeries and several years ahead of in-home care to fight her way back to a full recovery. All donations will be placed in a third-party trust for Emmie’s uncovered healthcare expenses, therapy, and educational needs. Emmie’s way of communicating now is sticking her tongue out to answer questions. It’s an amazing breakthrough. Thank you for helping Emmie gain access to the caregivers and equipment she needs. With your support, encouragement, and love, we know we will hear Emmie’s voice again. It will be an incredible day!

The magic of Emmie is quietly touching lives with her free-spirited confidence,

playful humor, beyond-her-years perspective, and deep empathy for all life.

She is a fierce fighter, a beacon of hope, and a sweet soul.

May her positive light burn forever bright as she makes her destined mark on this good Earth.