Sports:

Track and Field

Accomplishments:

Donut Run and Roll Participant 2014

Received her racing wheelchair in 2015

Full Bio

Emma Searl has been a part of One Chair at a Time for about 3 years. Emma was born with a condition called Myleomengocele which is a form of Spina Bifida. Emma is paralyzed from her waist down and has never experienced walking. Emma has been through over 20 surgeries all of which were within the first four years of her life. Through every surgery and everything negative that she has been faced with two things have never changed and that would be her faith/attitude and her huge smile even after having brain surgery. On Mother’s Day 2010, Emma’s shunt completely quit working and she became unresponsive. Emma was transported to Lubbock where she almost did not make it and ended up having 4 brain surgeries in 3 days.

Emma is a 5th grade student at Highland Park Elementary. She recently moved from Pampa with her mom Staci and her sister Bella. Emma does well in school and stays on the A and AB Honor Roll. Emma lives in Amarillo with her mom Staci, Bonus Dad Kevin, Sister Bella, Step Brothers Cooper and Bentley. For fun Emma enjoys going to church, getting her nails done, slumber parties with NayNay and G-pa and spending time with her family. Emma also loves playing WheelTimes sports in Pampa. Emma moved to Amarillo to be able to have the opportunity to practice with her team mates and to have more access to handicap accessible activities.

We met Joe Chris while at a WheelTimes sporting event in Pampa and he has become such a blessing to our family. His drive to educate the community about disabilities and the struggles that disabled individuals go through on a daily basis just shows how passionate he is about helping individuals who struggle to be treated equal and have the same rights as anyone else. Joe Chris has a heart of gold and it shows through every child that he coaches and interacts with.

Emma has competed in two elementary track meets. She competed in her first Endeavor Games in 2017 where she brought home five gold medals. In 2017, Emma competed in two races and three field events at the Endeavor Games. In 2018, she plans to compete in three races, three field events and she is going to try archery. One Chair at a Time to Emma means being able to feel as normal as she can and being able to be active and compete in sports with other children who have disabilities. As Emma’s mom I want to do anything I can to put a smile on her face and see her happy and with the help of One Chair at a Time I have accomplished just that and so much more. One Chair at a Time has become our second family and we could not be more blessed with such great people to work with our Emma.