Torch, Winter 2012

Born with cerebral palsy, Emily finds her self-worth in Jesus because, even though she lives in a body that displays the brokenness in the world, she knows she is made in the image of God. She believes God has a purpose for her life, and He placed her in the body of Christ to share what He has uniquely equipped her to contribute. Emily has a vision for sharing the hope and worth she finds in Christ with others who are differently enabled and drowning in despair. Emily graduated from Cedarville in 2011 with a degree in comprehensive communication and minors in Spanish and Bible. This was no ordinary accomplishment, however, as she navigated her way to this degree with the expert assistance of “Emily’s Dream Team,” her crew of 145 assistants over four years. Dream Team members helped her with personal care (meals, bathing, restroom trips), academic work, and office administration. While Emily has overcome so much and achieved a great deal, it wasn’t always easy. She had to overcome insecurities, weaknesses, and sometimes paralyzing fears as she trusted God to lead her. Looking Up for Hope It was at her fifth birthday party when Emily began to understand the long and difficult road that lay ahead. She saw for the first time that her friends could climb in and out of the ball pit on their own, but she needed someone to lift her in. She realized for the first time that she was different. The thought stayed with her throughout the day and into the next afternoon when she began to sob. Her mother came running and asked, “What’s wrong?” “My legs are useless,” she replied. “They have no purpose except to put cute socks on. They are like ornaments,” she replied. Her mom, who was struggling with her own response to her daughter’s condition, tried to comfort her 5-year-old daughter. She held her close and told her God loved her, but Emily couldn’t be consoled. She cried for three days. It was a song about heaven, by Joni Eareckson Tada, that caught her attention. When Emily’s mother heard a lyric about “pushing up daisies,” she rushed to turn it off for fear that Emily would be upset. But Emily protested, “Please don’t turn it off! This song says I won’t be stuck in this body forever!” She heard a message of hope and salvation through Jesus, even in the midst of her brokenness and grief. It’s this eternal perspective that has carried her, and will continue to carry her, through each trial. Stepping Out in Faith Emily knew that attending Cedarville as a differently enabled residential student would be difficult. She firmly believed God had led her to that decision, and from the age of 9, she spent much of her prayer time asking Him to show up and guide her through each step. She also relied on a team of advisors she calls “The Emily Achievement Council.” The Winter 2012 | TORCH 29 PHOTO PROVIDED BY EMILY SHANAHAN