#HelpEmmaHeal

Story

For most of this year, my dear friend Emma has been in severe, debilitating pain. Her mobility has been so restricted that she had to take a leave of absence from medical school. She now needs a second surgery followed by intensive physical therapy to correct her structural problems.Emma and I became friends in seventh grade, and I feel pretty lucky to say that our friendship has not only remained, but has grown, morphed, and strengthened. I can always confide in Emma, and I know she will truly hear what I have to say. I look up to her and admire her. She is the person who can always bring me laughter, and it has been with her that I have felt my truest self. I got lucky the day I met Emma, and I am forever grateful to have her in my life.If you know Emma, you know that she sees the world in a beautiful, honest, and inspiring way. She has a passion for life, for her medical training, for her work, and for those around her. Emma’s desire to become a doctor who helps those who cannot advocate for themselves, is truly admirable. It is authentically Emma. This drive to do for others, to see deeply into people and understand their needs, to be so incredibly motivated, hard-working, and determined—this is who Emma is. Emma has been suffering from multiple spinal disorders for most of her life. Last January, she woke up one morning unable to turn her head and with sharp, radiating pain in her arm. It turned out that she had a herniated disc as well as other problems in her neck. Although her doctors tried to help her with more conservative measures, Emma’s condition disintegrated, and she had invasive spinal surgery this summer in Boston.I often find myself thinking that were our situations reversed, I would not have Emma’s amazing strength, grace, optimism, or determination to face these challenges, to endure multiple surgeries, and to manage this pain. It is because all of this and so much more, that I hope you will donate and support this truly wonderful woman!Emma is selfless; she rarely asks for help—she would much prefer to be the one helping. So I am asking for her...Please Donate to #HelpEmmaHeal