WHEATON TEEN WILL BE HONORED ON WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HER GOLDEN BIRTHDAY
Just about a year ago, on Friday, August 14, 2020, the community of Wheaton came together to give Emily Rominski a very special surprise parade to celebrate her 13th birthday. Only a year later, her family is holding a Celebration of Life event on August 14, 2021 to honor her memory on what would have been her golden birthday.
She passed away on June 13th.
At only 13 years old, this Franklin Middle School student had a fatty liver, high triglycerides, kidney disease, cardiac issues, anemia, insulin resistance, reduced range of motion, thinning skin and hair, and a short stature. Emily was diagnosed with Atypical Progeria Lipodystrophy at the age of two. She had no adipose tissue, a mutation on her LMNA gene, and her body aged more rapidly than her peers.
Even though her health concerns were great, her spirit to live and love of life was greater. She had a strong relationship with Jesus as her Lord and Savior and her family takes solace in knowing she is finally healed, and is dancing, singing, and riding elephants to her heart's content.
Emily was a loving, kind girl who saw beauty in all of God’s creation. She had such a deep faith and was an inspiration in the way she believed and cared for others. Just a week after Emily’s passing, the Rominski family witnessed the most perfect promise from God, a holy moment, a double rainbow, that at certain angles made a complete circle as it reflected on a small lake in Michigan. This was the sign they needed - to know Emily is at peace and is very pleased with their pursuit of helping brighten other people’s day.
They hope to continue to honor Emily’s philosophy that “Hope shines brightest in the darkest moments” and become “the rainbow in someone else’s cloud” by creating a Butterfly Garden that will be maintained in memory of her. They will also support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charities that contributed to fulfilling Emily’s dreams in her last few years.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to keep her spirit of giving alive as well as help pay for her funeral and celebration of life expenses. -Kristen Kucharski, Photos Submitted
