The Balclutha girl was born with a mystery condition doctors predicted would leave her a paraplegic.
But her mother Cindy says despite being written off by medical professionals, her daughter is making incredible progress and after defying "impossible" odds can now walk with some support.
Mrs Bloxham said it became clear her daughter was different when she was toddler.
"As a toddler she was unable to hold up her neck during tummy time and didn’t show much interest toward food, or have those natural reactions babies would typically have," Mrs Bloxham said.
Doctors initially focused on Emma’s nutrition and sleep to ensure she was developing as a healthy toddler.
It was not until after numerous consultations they considered the possibility Emma might have an issue with her brain development.
After more than two years of tests, from MRIs to lumbar punctures, Mrs Bloxham and her husband Nathan decided it was time for a major mind shift.
"I was like, right, we’re not getting anywhere.
"It’s all well and good to have a label, but what’s more important is having a plan to fix the situation.
"A label isn’t going to change her.
"We now know she was born with a brain disorder because of a cyst that was attached to Emma’s placenta, but we don’t have an actual diagnosis," Mrs Bloxham said.
Giving Emma the best quality of life possible was now the aim.
"She deserves it, as much as any other kid."
Her parents worked hard to help improve her condition, despite doctors "writing Emma off" and telling her parents she would only regress.
"We were constantly told her brain wasn’t growing, therefore her body wasn’t developing," Mrs Bloxham said.
"They told us to prepare for the fact that eventually she will be a paraplegic and would need to go into a home for fulltime care."
The Bloxham family refused to accept this as Emma’s fate, and instead decided to take matters into their own hands.
The family were introduced to Dr Robert Melillo, a New York-based Harvard professor and a renowned child neurologist.
"For the last three years we’ve been working with him.
"Emma’s made incredible progress.
"She used to lay flat on her back and be unable to move herself.
"She can sit up on her own, crawl, and can walk with some support.
"She’s now learning to feed and can even say a few words."
Before the Funded Family Care legislation changed in 2019, the Bloxham family were receiving some financial support, but it was Mr Bloxham who was providing most of it through his job as a teacher.
"One day I received a call from Manawanui, who had been funding for some of Emma’s care, and they told me about how I’d be eligible to be paid as Emma’s fulltime carer.
"So I applied, and I was one of the first people in the country to be accepted to be my child’s fulltime carer."
Once Mrs Bloxham finishes the morning school drop-off for her two older daughters, she switches from the role of mum to a quasi-occupational therapist.
"Emma goes to school once a week, and hopefully more when we get to that stage.
"Emma is a superhero.
"She has come so far.
"She’s not on medication, just supplements.
"She is paving the way for so many families who, over the world, have seen her journey online and have contacted me and said she has inspired them to do more for their children."
Mrs Bloxham’s goal was to fully rehabilitate Emma.
"She is happy, she is engaged, she is aware and she is only going to get stronger.
"She is destined to do great things, I just know it."
