My Story About Emma Harris
by Michelle Mathewson

April 2006

My daughter, Emma Harris is seven years old now and in the first grade at Cedaroak Park Elementary School. She loves to sing, play with friends, play with her older brother and sister, ride her bike, is a girl scout, loves to play soccer and dance. She is so loving and compassionate and I adore her. When I was pregnant with her, we received the news that this baby girl had Down Syndrome. I had no idea what this was. My husband was so scared , but I knew in my heart that this child would be loved and would be part of our family. We rode a roller coaster ride for the remainder of my pregnancy and met Paula Scheidler and her family, Renee Kerr and her family, and were so blessed my these new friends and stories of love and joy. Emma brings us so much, and the support of the Down Syndrome Network of Oregon is fantastic. I wholeheartedly love and respect all lives, and will give Emma all the opportunities that my other two children will have.