Emery's Wish to Have an Off-road Wheelchair

During labor, his mom experience unforeseen complications, cutting off Emery’s oxygen supply as he was delivered. His physician was able to resuscitate Emery after delivery, however the time he spent without breathing resulted in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, severely damaging Emery’s brain. After spending 77 days in the NICU, Emery’s parents were finally able to take their baby boy home where they began a three-year journey of physical and occupational therapy.  

Immediately following Emery’s birth, his parents were not given a hopeful prognosis for Emery’s future. He was not expected to have a great quality of life and doctors predicted he would remain in an indefinitely vegetated state. However, due to early intervention and a fighting spirit, Emery has defied these predictions. Although he still has limitations with mobility and speech, Emery can now sit with assistance, roll from room to room of his home, and mimic some sounds and words. He shows signs of wanting to communicate more and more with his family and is also currently learning to work with a program on his iPad that helps him communicate at school. 

“He is just an incredible boy,” said Emery’s mom. “He has a fun personality and when anyone meets him, they light up. He doesn’t speak, but he’s got such a big personality.”  

Emery enjoys being around sounds and lights, and particularly loves interactive television programs like Yo Gabba Gabba! with lots of music. He also likes family gatherings with his many cousins and lights up whenever he sees them. However, Emery’s absolute happiest state is when he is able to spend time outdoors.  

Even as an infant, Emery responded most to outings or car rides that led to adventure. Once, while Emery was still small enough for his car seat, his parents took him on an off-road Jeep trip throughout Moab National Park. Emery squealed and laughed through every bump of the ride! His mom explained that time outdoors also helps Emery manage emotional complications of his condition. For instance, in times when Emery is responding to a new medication or therapy that makes him irritable, one coping mechanism is to jump in the car and head out to a trail. His parents would take turns holding him on hikes until he grew too heavy to carry.

As Emery has grown, it has become more difficult for his family to navigate outdoor adventures. When they learned that Emery was qualified to receive a wish, they knew this would be the perfect opportunity to further improve Emery’s quality of life, inspiring Emery’s wish to receive an off-road wheelchair  

In June, Emery’s family, friends, and several community members dawned facemask and lined the street outside of A Wishing Place, eager to see Emery’s wish be granted. Murray City Fire escorted Emery and his family via firetruck through the street as participants waved him on. Emery enjoyed listening to the sirens and people cheering—he was all smiles throughout the day. 

“It was so fun and a major blessing for us to see his friends and family come support Emery and show their love,” said Emery’s mom. “Also, to see that there’s people that are loving and generous enough to make a difference in someone’s life. He is a hero and his wish day was a fun way of celebrating him as a person.” 

Once at A Wishing Place, Emery was presented with his new all-terrain wheelchair, empowering him to handle grass, dirt, sand, mud, snow, and even float in the water! “Before we had this chair, if we wanted to go to the beach with family or something like that we may have had to say ‘no’ because we couldn’t have gotten him through the sand,” Emery’s mom explained. “This changes a lot for him. Now, he can be included—sledding in the snow, swimming at a reservoir, we can plan to include him in all of that. (Emery’s wish) was emotional for us. It means a lot to know that our boy has more of a chance to be included. That’s all we want for him is to be happy and feel included.” 

Although COVID-19 has restricted a lot of Emery’s family’s plans to travel, they are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to take him on new trails through Moab and other national parks.  

“Even just sitting in his new chair, he gets excited,” said Emery’s mom. “You can tell he is in tune with what’s going on around him. If I put him in his chair that means we are going to go out, so he shows that he’s excited.” 

Emery's wish will open up a new world of adventures for him and his family, further fueling his adventurous spirit.