NORTON, Ohio. -- An Ohio cheerleader who was placed in a medically-induced coma after suffering a severe asthma attack at her high school's homecoming dance made her first movements over the weekend , according to her mother.
On Oct. 19, 16-year-old Emma Pfouts was at the dance when she started struggling to breathe. A police officer watched as Emma walked to her car to grab her asthma inhaler, but as she returned to the building, the officer noticed the teen was in serious trouble. She never made it back inside.
Christina Weigand said her daughter was revived twice through CPR, and during her second day at the hospital, doctors told the family that the teen could have less than 12 hours to live.
Three weeks after being placed in a medically induced coma, Emma began swallowing, yawning and moving her eyes, and on Saturday, the teen moved her arm and her hand, according to Weigand.
Weigand posted a video showing Emma moving her hand in her bed at Akron Children's Hospital, bringing her family to tears.
On Sunday, Weigand said Emma not only opened her eyes but also momentarily followed her movements with her eyes — a good sign.
Emma’s family remains optimistic and is grateful for all of the support they have received from those in the community and beyond.
“We are incredibly humbled & GRATEFUL by the support everyone has given to all of us. We know this is just ONE SMALL STEP she has accomplished & she has a long way to go but we are comforted in knowing you all will be cheering & praying for her along the way,” Weigand wrote on her Facebook page.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Emma and her family. You can learn more about supporting Emma by clicking here .
This story was originally published by Camryn Justice at WEWS.
