As a freshman in college, the average person realizes that there is a whole different world out there. You face new challenges and have to become independent. Emily Piña is not your average person or college student! Emily was diagnosed with a type of Muscular Dystrophy in addition to a connective tissue disorder while she was in middle school. At the age of 12, it was a lot for her to absorb especially since both diagnoses are progressive and degenerative. During high school, Emily began the transition to partial wheel chair dependence, but it did not slow her down. “This taught me to be a persistent advocate for myself. I learned how to manage life from a new height while teaching my school how to accommodate students with various needs. My family was very supportive and helped me become comfortable with fighting for myself in high school. After a few years of hard work to make my school environment more accessible and inclusive, I was comfortable being independent in college.”
Emily is currently a student at The Ohio State University and is a pre-med freshman with a pre-neuroscience major and religious studies minor. She is a Health Sciences Scholar and a Morrill Scholar. When not studying, Emily volunteers for Special Olympics Ohio and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Through the MDA she has had the opportunity to assist with office work, advocate for patients, and fundraise. She works with the Columbus office to help expose donors and community members to the effects of Muscular Dystrophy and help raise awareness for the needs of families affected by each of the 43 types of Muscular Dystrophy. Emily has been working with Special Olympics since 2005 and is currently the Softball Throw Event Director. As Event Director, Emily coordinates each component of the event in addition to recruiting and training over 60 volunteers. “Additionally I facilitate the creation of over 700 tissue paper flowers in preparation of the event. I feel that it is vital for each of our participants to feel valued and praised for their hard work on the field so I am continuing the tradition of presenting each competing athlete with a flower during the award ceremony following each heat.” Emily has also been a Girl Scout for most of her life and has earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor given to Girl Scouts around the world.
Emily is still working on balancing everything in her life. “I have been told I am not expected to figure everything out within my first semester of college. Life throws many things at me at random times so I try to handle each situation as it comes. Family, friends, and serving others come first and everything else follows.” Emily’s older sister Maria is who inspires her every day. “She is the most empathetic person I have met and lives every day putting the needs of those around her before herself. She is a large part of my motivation to stay positive when things are difficult and she motivates me to be the best version of myself.”
Emily plans to continue working with both the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics to spread awareness for those with various needs. Additionally, she wants to promote an inclusive environment. “An inclusive environment goes beyond constructing an accessible building. An inclusive environment ensures that each person has all the tools necessary to succeed to their maximum potential and is welcome to engage in all activities and conversations taking place.”
For more information on Special Olympics Ohio and the MDA, please visit: www.sooh.org and www.mda.org.