31 Days of SMA: Katrina G. Kelly

Written by Kevin Schaefer | August 18, 2020

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Day 18 of 31 Days SMA Topic: Family Life and SMA This is @katrinamichelleonwheels ’s story: I’m a business litigation attorney at Faegre Drinker in Indianapolis, and I perform improv with ComedySportz. I also have SMA and use a power wheelchair to get around my downtown neighborhood. I have personal care assistants help me get up and go to bed. I need assistance eating, doing my makeup, and turning on my laptop. But that doesn’t tell my whole story, not by a longshot. I’m also a wife and a mom, and being a mom is my favorite role of all. A few years ago, my husband and I decided to adopt. We looked at countless places with children needing families, but we ultimately found our son in Bulgaria. When we found him, it felt like fate stepping in. You see–my son also has SMA. I hadn’t set out to adopt a child with the same condition, but now I couldn’t imagine it any other way. Our family just fits. It’s been an amazing experience raising a child with the same condition. My disability has made me a better advocate for his needs—this isn’t my first IEP rodeo. It’s also pushed me to teach him independence and problem solving. I can’t pick up the remote for him, so he and I have to figure how he will do it for himself. It also gives me insight into the struggles he faces now and as he grows up. I can say “I know how you’re feeling,” and it’s not just words. He’s already asked if he might walk when he grows up. I had to tell him he probably wouldn’t, but it softened the blow a little when I reminded him that I can’t walk either. It’s also indescribably rewarding to be a role model (pardon the pun) for my son. I have always lived my life without limitations. SMA didn’t stop me from reaching my goals, and my son doesn’t know anything different. There’s never a question in our house of whether something can be done, but how. My son has already done hip-hop and baking clubs. Who knows what he will do next. #SMAAwarenessMonth #SMAAwareness #31daysofsma2020

A post shared by SMANewsToday (@smanewstoday) on Aug 18, 2020 at 7:45am PDT

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About the Author

Kevin Schaefer Kevin Schaefer (he/him) is a writer, podcaster, and lover of all things pop culture. Diagnosed with SMA type 2 at the age of 18 months in 1995, he shares a vast array of hilarious and eye-opening stories from his life with a neuromuscular disability. He works as the associate director of community content for this site’s parent company, BioNews. He also hosts the SMA News Today Podcast. Kevin is a graduate of North Carolina State University and lives with his parents in Cary, NC. People regularly mistake him for Tony Stark, on account of his intellect and advanced technological equipment.