SMA News Today Columns

October 19, 2021October 19, 2021

Celebrating an Unexpected Birthday

I turn 28 on the day this column goes online. Though I thought it’d be fun to publish something on my birthday, I realize that 28 isn’t a particularly special ... Read more

October 18, 2021October 18, 2021

What the Mentally Ill 20-Somethings Do

SMA News Today Columns

The insecurity hits when I least expect it. I knew it would take me a while to adjust to post-grad life. I spent 20 years in school, eight of which ... Read more

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021

My Family Finds Creative Solutions for Inaccessible Situations

SMA News Today Columns

Disabled people and their loved ones are some of the most creative people on the planet, and I don’t just mean artistically. We have to find creative solutions to everyday ... Read more

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021

Managing My Health Can Be Exhausting, and That’s OK

SMA News Today Columns

As I was leaving a doctor appointment a few months ago, I reached my breaking point. In fairness, it was long overdue. For weeks, I could feel the tension bubbling ... Read more

October 13, 2021October 13, 2021

When This Column Merges With Memory Lane

SMA News Today Columns

Kevin Schaefer was a cute, spunky, almost-4-year-old when I lucked into a plum friendship with his mama, Cindy. My third baby, Jeffrey, had just been diagnosed with SMA type 1. ... Read more

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021

‘Ordinary Joe’ Is Anything but Ordinary

SMA News Today Columns

When we think about key moments in our lives, such as weddings and graduations, most of us have a tendency to wonder how things might have turned out differently. We’ll ... Read more

October 11, 2021October 11, 2021

My Latest Procedure Didn’t Go as Planned

SMA News Today Columns

One might say I was giddy. Once or twice a month, I drive 20 minutes to get shot up with allergens (mold and cat dander, for the curious). So the ... Read more

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021

Moving My Body of Solitude and Connecting With the World Around Me

SMA News Today Columns

I’ve been on my own more than usual lately. The idea feels odd to me when I first greet it, but when I consider the depths of the hourglass accounting ... Read more

October 6, 2021October 6, 2021

‘I Ain’t There Yet, but I’m Healing’

SMA News Today Columns

Humans like to believe that progress is linear. We were in the Dark Ages, then we weren’t. We were largely illiterate, then we read so much we created demand for ... Read more

October 5, 2021October 5, 2021

Embracing a New Chapter in Life With SMA

SMA News Today Columns

The worst part about long-running sitcoms is when they hit so close to real life. This is especially true when everyone’s favorite characters leave. Think about when Michael left “The ... Read more

October 4, 2021October 4, 2021

Anxiety and Apple Orchards Redux

COVID-19 Columns, SMA News Today Columns

Three years ago, I wrote a column about anxiety and apple orchards. After a long day at an orchard with my caregiver and her daughter, I reflected on something my ... Read more

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

Dragonflies, Tiny Tables, and Big Feelings: Exploring Sexual Wellness Accessibility

SMA News Today Columns

I have a fear of falling. It’s not from the great heights of suspension bridges or tall buildings. No, it’s much more humble than that. I fear I will fall ... Read more

September 30, 2021September 30, 2021

Learning to Laugh and Heal After Facing Danger

SMA News Today Columns

Have you ever been in a deadly serious situation that you looked back on later with humor? Perhaps you’re doing your normal activities and suddenly slip. Or, maybe an object ... Read more

September 29, 2021September 29, 2021

I Love a Heart Day Any Day of the Year

SMA News Today Columns

According to the World Heart Federation, World Heart Day encourages global participation in activities to improve heart health. The effort to unite people from all walks of life across the ... Read more

September 27, 2021September 27, 2021

Philips Respironics Recall Triggered My Health Anxiety

SMA News Today Columns

I’m about to give myself credit where credit is due: I didn’t freak out for several months. I have undiagnosed, but undeniable, health anxiety. So, I was surprised by my ... Read more