Health Literacy and SMAFor people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), health literacy is crucial. SMA is a genetic disorder that affects muscle strength and movement. Here is why health literacy matters, the impacts...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Discrimination SituationAround five years ago, I had a throbbing toothache. I had no idea what was wrong other than my face hurt and my tooth hurt. We had just moved to...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The Advocacy Issues That Matter To MeI feel like I've mentioned my advocacy here and there, and I'm sure we all know the reason behind why it's important; for us disabled people to have equal rights...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why Advocacy Is Important to the SMA CommunityFor families and people living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), health advocacy is a vital part of navigating the condition and improving lives. Advocating for SMA has a ripple effect...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Things That Make Me Angry About SMAHaving a disability like spinal muscular atrophy is extremely challenging. Every day is a battle between my body and my mind. Frankly, it can be brutal inside. And with that brutality...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Hug Me Not My Wheelchair PleaseI’ve been driving a power wheelchair since the age of two. My wheelchair has been a part of my life and a second part of my body since then. It...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Becoming Okay With My AnxietyIn middle school, I gained anxiety and was in pure denial, especially when it came to getting help, I was in that “fitting in” phase in middle school. SMA has...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Navigating Kidney Health with Spinal Muscular AtrophyAs a 34-year-old individual living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), my journey through the healthcare system has been extensive and enlightening. Regular interactions with various specialists such as pulmonologists, cardiologists...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Abilities ExpoI have been using my new powered wheelchair for about a year. When I am sitting for long periods of time, I can become uncomfortable. I reached out to my...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Does Independence Look Like?My friends Sawsan and James were in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. The film is called Out of Reach. In it, James talks about independence, “I thought I would be...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Enter the Giveaway: Adapting Your WorldPLEASE NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED Living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) means an endless stream of adapting the world to you, and you to the world. We are celebrating...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How To Spend a Summer With SMASummer is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited for all the warm weather and thunderstorms to come. With summer here, I wanted to share some ways I spend...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Summertime With SMAGood 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...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Lack of Accessible UbersIn May, I was out to dinner with my girlfriend Suzanne and a few of my old colleagues. After dinner, Suzanne wanted to go to Homegoods to look at some...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Hydration Hacks For a Wheelchair UserNavigating 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...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Thriving With SMAIf you live with SMA, then you know the ‘waiting for the other shoe to drop’ mentality. I lived there for a long time, and sometimes, I am honestly still...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
My Journey With EvrysdiHi friends! Today I wanted to write about my journey with Evrysdi. If you or a loved one are making the decision to get on it, but aren't sure what's...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Remembering My Spinal Fusion SurgeryWhen I was younger, I had a 90-degree curve in my spine due to scoliosis from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). My torso hunched, and the curve was visible. Doctors always...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How Do I Connect With Other People in the SMA Community?Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder where muscles become weak and waste away. Our goal at SpinalMuscularAtrophy.net is to connect people living with SMA and their caregivers with ...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Forced Poverty in the Disability CommunityFrom an early age, individuals with disabilities face a unique set of financial challenges. For me, these challenges began at 16, a time when most teenagers are taking their first...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments