Meet Emmy


Hello everyone, I’m Emmy! I have Sickle Cell Anemia. It’s a nasty little thing that keeps me in the hospital more than I care to think about. Like I told you, I am only 15 months old but I have been admitted to the hospital 14 times. Yep, that’s a lot. That doesn’t count the emergency room trips where they were able to treat me then send me home.

Jeepers, it seems I am going to the doctor, the ER or the hospital constantly. Now, I don’t want to frighten you here, but these little visits are anything but fun. The nurses, doctors, IV team, techs, sanitation engineers (okay just kiddin’ on that one), they poke, they prod, they dig if they don’t find what they are looking for. They mean well. I know they do. They want to help me, but I sure wish they would find a better way to do that.

Here’s what happens: first thing they want from me is blood. I know your first thought is vampires- that was my first thought too. It turns out though that they take this blood and test it for all sorts of things.

Seriously, I’m thinking I may need that blood and I would like to keep it. If.You.Don’t.Mind.

I guess they do mind since they take so much of it. Folks, there have been times when they SQUEEZED the blood out of me. That hurt. Not only did it hurt, but also some of my precious blood spilled right onto the bed. What a waste!

I have many stories to tell, but I digress.

My big news is that after all my hospital visits; I have become quite well known in my little corner of the world. My mommy puts these ginormous bows in my hair everyday. Even.Sick.Days. The hospital people now know me as the “Bow Girl”. They are always excited to see me and to see what color my bow is for the day. I mean, they make a special trip to my room just to see me with my bow! Hilarious!

I am practically famous.

If you have ever been in the hospital (and I hope you haven’t) then you know all about the dreary “hospital gown” they insist you wear. HIDEOUS! The thing lacks, color, style, and ahem, privacy. The thing has absolutely no pizzazz.

All of the kids in the hospital wear the exact same one. Everyday. I even thought, hey, I’ll get blood on this one and then they will bring something a little more my taste. Nope. Same dreary gown – everyday- no matter what.

Since I jazzed up my visits with my bow and everyone seemed to like it so much. I had this great idea – let’s jazz us up some gowns too.
(My mommy would tell you that this thing was her idea, but get real, we all know who wears the BOWS in this family).

I have a great personality if I must say so myself and it just seemed such a shame to hide behind those boring hospital gowns. I want my personality to come through, even when I am so sick. I want those nurses, doctors etc. to know that I am more than just a sick kid. I am A CHILD OF GOD who is just as individual as all other children. I am not a number, a statistic, or just one more sick kid to see today. I don’t always have “sick eyes” and I don’t usually cry so much.

I am funny and cute. I like to play and dance. I am a treasured member of my family. I have a smile that melts hearts. I have a hope and a future (no matter the outcome) because it says so in the bible (that’s in Jeremiah). You may have noticed that I am also very smart for my age. I am a big bright bow, wearing girl with style and pizzazz. I am a typical kid who happens to have a disease. My name is Emmy and I am special (so are you).

These gowns that I have designed are super duper stylish. They are colorful and cute. They are REVERSIBLE! Hello! That way if one side gets yucky, you can just switch sides and still be adorable. Stains are so tacky. They are functional so the wires and other hospital gadgets have access to the um… parts they need access too. If you are a girl, you can have matching bloomers and a matching bow … Genius, I know. If you are a boy, you can have a cape to attach to yours so that everyone will know that you are a superhero. Cool!

My hope is that every boy or girl who has frequent or long hospital stays will have the chance to have one of these gowns for themselves. Now, as you know, not all parents can afford to buy things. These hospital stays are expensive and cause great hardship on mommies and daddies. I am offering these gowns to children through donations from great people (like you) who want to make a difference.

If you would like to make a donation for a gown (or several) you can let my mommy know at courtney@emmysgotstyle.com. I let her handle the boring stuff. It makes her feel useful.

My company is called Emmy’s Got Style. It is in the process of becoming a not for profit (501c3) organization, but we are still waiting for that to come through. These things take time, but there are children in the hospital right now.

Your donation will provide a sick child with a gown (or gowns) and the opportunity to feel extra special while dealing with an acute or long term illness. The proceeds will benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.