8-year-old Mesa girl with spina bifida wins national handwriting award

MESA, Ariz. (KSAZ) - An 8-year-old Mesa girl with spina bifida has been recognized nationally for her handwriting.

"The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. I like handwriting because everyone can read it," said Emma Laird.

Laird loves to write.

"I have a notebook and have written two stories," Laird said.

It's her love of writing that helped the second grader at Pilgrim Lutheran School to win the National Nicholas Maxim Award. It's an award given to special needs students for their mastery of handwriting.

"When I was four, I was completely blind," Laird said.

Emma was also born with spina bifida and has to constantly wear leg braces. But she hasn't let any of those complications get in her way.

"Emma's come an extra long way with her education so this was a challenge for her to get her handwriting to the point that it could win a national championship," said Marian Laird, Emma's mom.

Laird's adopted mom says she's proud to see her daughter make such great strides.

Laird, on the other hand, is just excited to show off her new trophy.