NORTON, Ohio — Norton students gathered together with classmates from surrounding schools Friday to help their classmate Emma Pfouts, assisting her family in modifying their home for her return from the hospital.
On Oct. 19, 2019, Emma was at the homecoming dance when she started struggling to breathe. A police officer watched as Emma walked to her car to grab her asthma inhaler, but as she returned to the building, the officer noticed the teen was in serious trouble. She never made it back inside.
Emma was placed in a medically-induced coma, and soon after waking up began swallowing, yawning and moving her eyes, as well as moving her hand. She is in physical therapy, has gotten her personality back and is communicating with her family and doctors.
People from all over the world have been following her story ever since, but on Friday her own community showed their support for Emma and her family.
Norton students enrolled in the Four Cities Compact carpentry class got a lesson in their technical program as well as a lesson in humanitarianism as they worked together with classmates from Barberton High School, Wadsworth High School and Copley High School. The students worked to break and move concrete at the Pfouts’ home as the family prepares to make the house more accessible for Emma after she is discharged from the hospital.
Emma’s mother, Christina Weigand, previously said that as they prepare for Emma to come home, they are figuring out how to make their home accessible for her, including an addition to the home with a wheelchair accessible entrance. They’ll also add a wheelchair accessible bathroom in the home for Emma before she returns.
The students’ hard work was recognized by the Norton City School District on their Facebook page.
An upcoming benefit dinner and auction is being held for Emma at the Galaxy Restaurant in Wadsworth.
The benefit is scheduled for Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available here.
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