Keesler child overcomes challenges with activity

Published Jan. 22, 2013
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Emily Doane is a spunky blonde second grader with sparkly eyes and a passion for running, soccer, gymnastics and snow skiing. It's hard to imagine that she was born nine weeks premature with underdeveloped lungs, spent a month in neonatal intensive care and was diagnosed with asthma when she was 4 years old.

Emily now holds the Mississippi record for the 6- to 7-year-old age division in the 8-kilometer distance, after previously clinching the 5-K record. She's run numerous 5Ks, two 8Ks, the 5-mile Seabee Mud Run and children's Spartan Race in Perkinston, Miss.

"My wife, Jessica, and I got Emily involved in physical activities, mainly running and soccer, to help strengthen her lungs and deal with the affects of asthma," said her dad, Master Sgt. Michael Doane, 2nd Air Force. Emily's mom is a cardiac telemetry and emergency room at Garden Park Medical Center in Gulfport.

"When we got stationed at Keesler in August 2009, we got Emily involved in organized soccer," recalled her dad, who's been in the Air Force for 14 years. "As she began to run more with the other kids, Jessica became concerned about Emily's breathing and we brought her to the Keesler Hospital for a checkup.

"Emily failed the breathing test miserably and was diagnosed with asthma," Doane continued. "She was given two inhalers to use for six months -- one for routine use and one for emergencies. After six months of treatments, there was no change, but Emily continued playing soccer and riding a bike. After a year of inhalers and no change, my wife conferred with several doctors and we decided to take her off the inhaler routine for a while."

Emily was also enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, a highly reccomended Defense Department initiative that helps military families with special medical and educational needs.

The Doanes are avid runners and have competed in events with Emily in a jogging stroller ever since she was a baby. One day, Emily told her dad that she wanted to run with her parents and she's never looked back. She likes to run the 5Ks because "the 1-mile races for kids are too short."

Because of sports and running, Emily hasn't used her inhaler in more than 18 months. She's used physical activity to strengthen her lungs and to understand what "restricted breathing" feels like.

"Our vacations are always based around something active," Doane added. "This summer we went hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and over Christmas exodus, Emily wanted to learn to ski for her Christmas present."

Emily says she likes the confidence she feels when she finishes a run and enjoys the fun and exercise of playing soccer. A second grader at Harrison Central Elementary School in Gulfport, she says math and physical education are her favorite subjects.

Emily said that someday she'd "like to be a champion and be on TV like Team USA Olympics." Her dad says she's talked about becoming an Air Force nurse so she can do what both of her parents do all in one.

"My life goal is to grow up and be an awesome person," she stated.

The Doanes have gotten orders for Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., so they are working with the EFMP program to make sure Emily's needs are met in their new location.

"We are extremely proud of Emily and how she has used activity to overcome some tough times," Doane said.

At Keesler, 231 families are currently enrolled in the Air Force's Exceptional Family Member Program, according to Ann Allen, a licensed clinical social worker who serves as the special needs coordinator for the 81st Medical Group.

This program is designed to provide support to military family members with special medical or educational needs. The mandatory Defense Department program has three facets. Assignments are administered by the Air Force Personnel Center. At Keesler, Allen is responsible for the medical component and Gerry Cross from the airman and family readiness center takes care of school and community support needs. All three functions work with other military and civilian agencies to enhance the quality of life for families as they relocate around the world with their sponsors.

"We have been working really hard to make sure that we identify those that have special needs and that they are receiving the services or resources that they need," Allen said.

EFMP's goal to ensure Air Force sponsors are assigned or employed in locations that support both the accomplishment of the mission and the wellbeing of families.

Melba Harris, Keesler's family member relocation clearance coordinator, ensures that specialized care and services are available at the projected gaining location.

For more information, call 228-376-3427, -5605 or -8505 or log on to www.militaryonesource.mil.