AKRON, Ohio — A local mother has a lot to love when it comes to her daughter’s improving health this Valentine's Day.
“She’s progressing daily,” Christina Weigand said. “She has no boundaries.”
The community's support continues overflowing, too, as Pfouts received plenty of special Valentine's Day messages ahead of her birthday next week.
In October, Emma Pfouts collapsed at her homecoming dance at Norton High School and spent many weeks in a medically induced coma.
Today she is awake and talking by eye-gazing at an iPad, which moves a mouse.
“The first time she said, ‘I’m fine, let’s go home,’’ Weigand said, adding that Emma’s personality keeps coming through.
“It is back and in full force,” she said. “She is humming to her music, she’s kind of wiggling her shoulders when she’s playing music. They play music for her all during her whole therapy.”
That therapy is every day except for Sundays.
Still, there is a lot that Emma must overcome.
“We did ask her if she knew why she was here,” Weigand said. “She said she knew why she was here. She said asthma, her asthma.”
Her mother said they cut those conversations short to avoid traumatizing Emma.
The family’s next goal is to see Emma sit by up herself. Though her home is now wheelchair accessible, it is unclear how soon she can return.
Photos: Norton teen who was in coma receives stack of Valentines
In the meantime, her family is asking the community to send birthday cards for Emma’s 17th birthday, which is Feb. 19. You can mail them to:
Akron Children’s Hospital
Transitional Care – Attn: Emma Pfouts
214 West Bowery Street
Akron, OH 44308
You can also send an eCard, which will be printed and delivered to Emma at the hospital by clicking here.