Summertime With SMA

Good old summertime! How do you manage the summer with your SMA? Do you embrace the hot summer weather or prefer to stay indoors in the air conditioning? And what about summer vacations? Let us know by participating in the polls below.

Below, our Health Leaders share some tips for making the most of the summer.

Hydration hacks for a wheelchair user

By Health Leader Megan DeJarnett

"Navigating life as a wheelchair user with spinal muscular atrophy has its unique set of challenges, and among those, something as seemingly simple as staying hydrated has been a personal struggle of mine. Initially, it seemed like a minor issue, but I quickly realized hydration's profound impact on my overall health." Read the whole article.

Accessible getaway tips

We asked our Health Leaders for some summertime advice: Do you have a summer vacation or getaway planned? What makes for the best, most refreshing, and most accessible vacation? Read what they said.

The number one beach accessory you might not know about

By Health Leader Samantha Przybylski

"The beach for me as someone with spinal muscular atrophy can be a difficult place. I often feel most disabled in this environment. The sand makes travel by wheelchair almost impossible if not impossible. This year at the beach I got to know the joy of getting down to the water alone. If you did not know, there is such a thing as a power beach wheelchair." Read more!

Tips and tricks for day trips

By Health Leader Allie Williams

"Like many other wheelchair users with spinal muscular atrophy, backpacks are essential to my leaving my house for any length of time. I wanted to share a few tips that I use when I go out, shopping, eating, and doing other day trip activities." Check out Allie's tips.

More articles to read as you plan your summer adventure

• Accessible Summer Activities for Kids With SMA by Health Leader Chaz Hayden
• Air Travel by Health Leader Megan DeJarnett
• Traveling and SMA by Health Leader Suzanne Cutler
• Friends That Travel Together, Stay Together by Health Leader Ainaa Farhanah
• The Freedom to Swim by Health Leader Chaz Hayden

Tell us more in the forum