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    • Embracing My Inner Alien - Kevin Schaefer
    • Being Resilient - Jasmine Ramos
    • Soaring With Hope - Ari Anderson
    • Life, One Cup at a Time - Alyssa Silva
    • Wandering The Lines - Sherry Toh
    • The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - Brianna Albers
    • Caring Together - Connie Chandler
    • We’re Not in Kansas Anymore - Helen Baldwin
    • From Where I Sit - Halsey Blocher
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Breaking News MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference Read More
Featured Articles
News

Whole-body MRI can track subtle muscle changes in SMA, study finds

Whole-body quantitative MRI, or qMRI, can track long-term subtle muscle changes throughout the body among adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), despite treatment and clinical stability, a new study reported. In fact, qMRI was seen to work better than clinical testing over time in detecting muscle measures of disease…

Main graphic for column titled Discussion
Columns

Medical device design needs to be more inclusive, personalized

My mother tried persuading me to get a hospital bed at home for years. “Your uncle can help us source one that the pediatric hospital doesn’t want,” she said at one point. “Our neighbor doesn’t need hers anymore. She offered it to us. Do you want it?” Mom asked…

Banner for Connie Chandler's column Discussion
Columns

SMA does not define us or limit our dreams

I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the mid-1980s at 18 months old. At the time, doctors explained to my parents that, because it is a genetic disease, there was a chance that they would have other children with SMA. Research shows that there is a 25%…

A person speaks to a doctor.
News

Magnetic rod surgery safe, effective for kids with SMA type 1: Study

Surgery to implant magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGRs) is a safe and effective option for children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 and scoliosis, according to a study. “MCGR represents a viable and effective surgical strategy for managing [scoliosis] in the medically complex [SMA type 1] population,” the…

A banner for Alyssa Silva's column Discussion
Columns

How voice-to-text technology improved my daily life with SMA

“Spinal muscular atrophy golf tournament,” I spoke into my voice-to-text software. It was late at night, and I was physically drained. As a result, I knew my speech wouldn’t be very articulate. Nevertheless, I persisted in trying to accomplish some of my tasks for my nonprofit’s upcoming charity golf…

A therapist talks with a child seated on a bench.
News

Home therapy improves life quality for young people with SMA on Spinraza

A home-based respiratory physiotherapy program focused on breathing exercises and airway clearance techniques can significantly improve quality of life for young people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who are receiving treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen), a small study suggests. Data showed that lung function among the study’s participants remained…

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Featured ColumnWe need more research on reproductive health in women with SMA

At 19, columnist Sherry Toh thought she’d escaped her period, which is why more research on women’s reproductive health is needed, she says.

Read the column

Vlogs

Watch the latest videos where patients with SMA share their personal stories and perspectives with the SMA community.

Watch on YouTube

The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Podcast

Listen to the latest episode of The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Podcast, hosted by forums director Kevin Schaefer.

Listen to more

Your SMA Community

Visit the SMA News Today forums to connect with others in the SMA community.

View Forums

Perspectives

  1. Main graphic for column titled Discussion
    Columns

    Medical device design needs to be more inclusive, personalized

  2. Banner for Connie Chandler's column Discussion
    Columns

    SMA does not define us or limit our dreams

  3. A banner for Alyssa Silva's column Discussion
    Columns

    How voice-to-text technology improved my daily life with SMA

  4. Main graphic for column titled Discussion
    Columns

    We need more research on reproductive health in women with SMA

  5. Banner for Connie Chandler's column Discussion
    Columns

    Collaboration makes the impossible possible after an air travel impasse

  6. Banner image for Halsey Blocher's column Discussion
    Columns

    Don’t underestimate the power of disability representation

View All Columns

Special Collections

A close-up view of a strand of DNA highlights its double-helix structure.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Genetics

Wheelchair illustration

Specialized Equipment for SMA Patients

A child in a wheelchair raises his arms above his head.

Living Well With SMA

  1. A close-up view of a strand of DNA highlights its double-helix structure.

    Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Genetics

  2. Wheelchair illustration

    Specialized Equipment for SMA Patients

  3. A child in a wheelchair raises his arms above his head.

    Living Well With SMA

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