Meet Emma: 2021 Family Advocacy Week Champion

Emma is participating in Speak Now for Kids Family Advocacy Week from June 13-18, 2021. Through this event, Emma and her family will discuss her health journey, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital’s role in providing her with necessary health care services, and why the public and our elected officials must invest in the future of patients like Emma.

Following a COVID-19 diagnosis, 4-year-old Emma had a persistently high fever and vague abdominal pain. Due to an unusual urine culture, doctors thought Emma might have a UTI but IV antibiotics and a second, clean urine culture led her team of providers to investigate further.

The team of providers at UH Rainbow eventually diagnosed Emma with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

“With how little information there is about MIS-C, her diagnosis was scary to say the least,” says Heidi, Emma’s mother.

Emma was treated quickly, and after receiving steroids, turned a corner. Her fever broke and she was feeling more like herself.

“Although my child’s medical condition was the result of COVID-19, thanks to great medical care and the support from family, friends and our community my daughters’ quality of life has remained intact,” says Heidi.

It’s still too early to be sure that the MIS-C is resolved, but Emma currently seems to be doing well. She still enjoys dancing and gymnastics just the same.