Full name: Emily “Thunderstrike 21” Johnson-Smith
Date of Birth: 21 March 2012
Place of Birth:
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Birth Mother: Anna Johnson
Adoptive Parents: Fiona Smith and Robert Smith, Shetland Islands
Early Life
Emily Johnson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2012, on 21 March — World Down Syndrome Day. Her birth mother, Anna, loved her deeply but was struggling as a single parent. Knowing she couldn’t give Emily the life she deserved, Anna made a brave and selfless decision: she entrusted her baby to RODS Heroes, a Utah-based adoption agency that helps find loving homes for children with Down syndrome.
A New Family
Across the world, in the Shetland Islands, Fiona and Robert Smith had always dreamed of adopting. When they saw Emily’s photo through RODS Heroes, they said it felt like destiny.
They flew across the ocean to meet her, holding her for the first time in the Utah sunshine. “She is ours,” Fiona whispered. With love in their hearts, they brought Emily home to Shetland — her forever home.
Growing Up in Shetland
Emily thrived in Shetland’s close-knit community. Known for her boundless energy and infectious laugh, she loved dancing in the living room, running across the beaches, and drumming on anything that made a sound.
Her Down syndrome sometimes made learning harder, but Emily never let it stop her. She carried a spark that lit up every room she entered.
Discovery of Powers
On her tenth birthday, during a summer thunderstorm, Emily’s powers revealed themselves. As lightning flashed over the sea, she clapped her hands — and thunder answered. Electricity crackled in her fingertips. She could call lightning, summon thunder, and channel raw energy through her body.
She chose the name Thunderstrike 21, honouring both the power of storms and the date of her birth, 21/3 — a symbol of Down syndrome’s extra 21st chromosome.
The Extraordinary Eight
When she joined the Extraordinary Eight, Emily’s joy and strength inspired her teammates. While others worried or doubted, Thunderstrike 21 always said:
“We can do this. Together.”
Her thunderous energy made her a fierce fighter, but her kindness and optimism made her the team’s heart.
Legacy and Message
Thunderstrike 21’s story is a celebration of love, family, and identity. She shows children with Down syndrome — and everyone who feels different — that they are powerful, valued, and unstoppable.
Her legacy is a lightning bolt of hope: no matter where you begin, love can carry you home, and your uniqueness can become your greatest strength.
Thunderstrike 21 – Character Biography.
