Emma Kate’s Story

Emma Kate Sursa is a vibrant, active, and happy little girl. She loves Mickey Mouse and America’s Funniest Home Videos. She especially loves going fishing with her daddy. There’s not much that Emma Kate can’t do. Emma Kate also has Down syndrome. The Down syndrome makes her have to try harder, work longer, and be intentional in almost every aspect of her life but she’s strong and she can.

When we asked her parents what they wanted people to know about Emma Kate, they responded,

“We want her to be treated like a little girl rather than a diagnosis. We want people to look at her and see her rather than the Down syndrome on her face. We want her to have the same opportunities as her typical peers and to be given the same chances as any other child. We just want her to grow up, be happy and have the extraordinary life we know she can have.”  

Emma Kate attends Kindergarten and is in a half and half school day. This means that half of her day is spent in a typical Kindergarten classroom and the other half is spent with a 1:1 tutor in a slower environment for individual attention. She is excelling because of the opportunities to be in an inclusive classroom and interact with typical peers. Here at GiGi’s Playhouse Little Rock, we are working with schools like Emma Kate’s school to open their minds to a more inclusive environment for our kids and teens.

If you’re interested in helping us reach out to schools and educators in your area or if you would like us to mail you a school packet for your school (including a letter to the principal, SPED teachers, and parent handouts as well as GiGi’s Playhouse information and a coloring book educating children on Down syndrome) please contact us today.