Written by: Bailey Hemphill | Photo by: Deyo’s Photography
But, no matter what life has thrown at her, Erin says Emily fights back with a smile. “Despite all of this, she cares to find ways to raise money for endangered species and has compassion for others around her. She has many hospital friends, and unfortunately knows all too well that life can be taken from us far too quickly. [She] reaches out to these children and their families.”
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Young Hero: Emily Koesters
While Emily is no doubt a young hero, she is also special in that she teaches her doctors and nurses about how to care for children and what makes them feel more comfortable when they come to see their patients—like taking off their coats, sitting down, and talking for a while. Erin believes Emily is an excellent role model for other children because she can take pain. After multiple IVs, shots, and over 40 surgeries, Emily knows what pain is and how to make it through. “She is also a model student in the classroom and has had to climb her way out of losing many of the abilities she once had and continues to try and overcome,” says Erin.
mily Koesters is a strong, smart, and kind 8-year-old in second grade
at Gretna Elementary. She has a 6-month-old baby sister named Taylor-Jo, an indoor cat named Bo, and two outdoor cats named Bingo and Princess Sparkle. “Emily is an animal lover and activist…She has been for years,” says mom Erin. “She loves her pets and also raises money for the endangered Cheetah and to keep ice and food for the penguins and polar bears at the zoo.”
“Emily inspires me, her dad, and our family and friends ever day. We believe in her and her strong zest for life, and that she will live to find the help she needs to prolong her life. No matter what she faces, she meets it head on and tackles it. Emily questions life, wonders about her future, and keeps us on our toes. We are proud of her and amazed by her beauty within.”
Emily came into the world eight weeks early at 2lbs., 14oz. and has been fighting ever since. When she was 4, Emily was diagnosed with SIOD, or Schimke Immuno-osseous Dysplasia, a rare genetic dwarfism. With this disease comes short life expectancy and years of medical issues. In her eight years, Emily has already received a kidney transplant from her dad, battled lymphoma twice, and has suffered seizures and debilitation. She has spent more than two years straight in the hospital and countless trips thereafter and in home healthcare.
The Koesters will be involved in a fundraiser called “Share Your Heart” for the Little Giants Foundation, which raises money for rare dwarfism research. The fundraiser will be held at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds (100 Main St., Springfield, Neb.) from 6-11pm on February 11. There will be food, music, and fun. For more information or to make a donation, visit SPECTRUM www.littlegiantsfoundation.org.
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Family Spectrum and Omaha Storm Chasers would like to honor your Young Hero. Send nominations to Bailey@OmahaPublications.com. • readonlinenow.com February 2012 • • • •
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