Voting With a Disability: What to KnowVoting is a fundamental American right, but it has special meaning for people with disabilities, like spinal muscular atrophy, or health conditions. Until federal laws like the Americans with Disabilities... By Editorial Team 4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Making the Best of ItI recently watched a new movie based on a true story about a young man who unexpectedly became a quadriplegic due to an accident. Even though I have spinal muscular... By Megan DeJarnett2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Computer Assistive TechnologySymptoms of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can make it hard to use technology. Computer assistive devices and strategies can improve access. They can help people with SMA communicate, maintain independence... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
The Art of Chewing and Swallowing with SMAIf you’ve lived with spinal muscular atrophy for any length of time you expect to have weakness progress in your body. However, one area I was never prepped for weakening... By Megan DeJarnett2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
About You: An Author and a Character with SMANote: This year's theme for SMA Month was SMA does not define us. For Chaz Hayden, a patient leader for SpinalMuscularAtrophy.net, his life as a writer is one way he... By Chaz Hayden7 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments3 comments
Modifying Your Home for More IndependenceSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic condition that causes muscle weakness. People with SMA may have problems with doing daily activities, movement, and speech.1 Having an accessible home... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
My Life as an Artist, Not SMA, Defines MeThis year's theme for SMA Month was SMA does not define us. For Ainaa Amaili, a patient leader for SpinalMuscularAtrophy.net, her life as an artist is one way she defines... By Ainaa Farhanah4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
My Spark is Music, Not SMAThis year's theme for SMA Month was SMA does not define us. For Allie Williams, a patient leader for SpinalMuscularAtrophy.net, her life as a musician is one way she defines... By Allie Williams4 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
Gaming with a DisabilityRecently I went on a search to find an accessible hobby that didn’t include technology or staring at a screen. I didn’t have much luck since technology is a key... By Chaz Hayden3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Jessie’s First Grade Class Learns About DisabilitiesThe back story: My daughter Jessie, had spinal muscular atrophy [SMA]. She was the first handicapped child to be mainstreamed in our local public school. In the 1970s, federal laws... By Marc Mitnick3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments4 comments
Extra Assistance at SchoolI was talking to a mom who has a teen with SMA. They were asking me for advice on what kind of accommodations they should be asking for in school. ... By Mike Noon2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments1 comments
A Moment That Changed MeAugust is not just SMA awareness month, it is also a month when my sister passed away. 19 August 2013, a date that I will never forget. She was only... By Ainaa Farhanah3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
Shopping for Clothes with a DisabilityOne of the biggest challenges of living with SMA is buying new clothes, especially pants. For me, it’s not possible to go to a store and quickly slip on a... By Chaz Hayden2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments
Weight: Freshman 15 to the Covid 19Today I’m talking about weight. At some point in our lives, most of us deal with weight gain. Back in college, the freshman 15 found me and during Covid weight gain... By Mike Noon2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
SMA Awareness Month Giveaway 2022The SMA Awareness Month 2022 Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest! August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month. About 1 in 6,000 to 10,000 babies worldwide... By Editorial Team 1 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
SMA Awareness Month 2022August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month! Receiving a diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy can be a long, frustrating process, leading to many lifestyle changes. Once a person is... By Editorial Team 2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Personal Care AssistantsMany people with spinal muscular atrophy hire a personal care assistant to provide a wide range of tasks, from personal care, meal preparation and feeding, to transportation and more. For... By Editorial Team 3 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Traveling and SMATraveling has always been a passion of mine. When I was younger I was fortunate enough to travel to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan... By Suzanne Cutler2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments0 comments
Finding a Disability Friendly HobbyRecently I felt like I was stuck in a rut with my hobbies or activities to unwind. It seemed like I was either on my computer or watching TV. And... By Chaz Hayden2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments5 comments
Raising a GirlI have lived a life of always confirming my own personal safety. Once I had a child, the awareness grew exponentially. My first experience of personal awareness started in my... By Erin Courteau2 min readBookmark for laterReactions 0 reactions Comments2 comments