This year, we reached out to you with a simple ask — to let us know if you knew someone we could support. Thanks to you, we received a tip about another brave little fighter, Emmka.
Allow us to share her story.
Emmka is one of twins who were born three months early. Her brother is healthy, but Emmka didn’t have the same luck. A long 20 minutes without oxygen caused damage to her brain. As a result, she suffers from the most severe form of cerebral palsy and has a swallowing disorder. For a long time, she also depended on a ventilator.
Because of this, she has a tracheostomy, which means Emmka cannot swallow and receives all her nutrition through a stomach feeding tube. She constantly needs suctioning of saliva and ongoing cleaning of her airways.
Emmka cannot walk or speak, and she cannot tell us when something hurts or when she needs help. She wears diapers, is fully dependent on others, and requires care around the clock.
Thanks to intensive massages and exercises, her parents have been able to help her body move. After countless rehabilitation sessions, Emmka stood on her feet for the very first time — even if only with support. At home, she practices daily using pulleys and weights. Since these specialised therapies are extremely expensive, her parents are trying to recreate the rehabilitation environment they experienced in Klimkovice in the Czech Republic, where Emmka previously trained.
Emmka is an incredible fighter, and we would love to spread her story. With your help, we want to support her in taking another step forward on her challenging journey. The proceeds from the sale of the Step by Step 2025 diary and additional products will go directly to Emmka. You can also support her by contributing any amount to our transparent account. Details can be found in the Collections section.
Thank you for being part of the Step by Step family and for helping us make a difference.
