Life, One Cup at a Time – a Column by Alyssa Silva

August 17, 2018August 15, 2018

The Power of Social Media in the SMA Community

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

Over the past weekend, pictures from the annual candle lighting for SMA that took place on Aug. 11 inundated my social media feeds. As most of our community knows, ... Read more

August 10, 2018August 9, 2018

Why I Wouldn’t Change a Thing During Fundraising Season

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

It seems like just yesterday I was living in a perpetual state of chaos. My life was going a million and one miles per hour, and there was no ... Read more

August 3, 2018August 1, 2018

After Hard Lessons Come New Beginnings

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

The past four weeks have taught me some hard lessons, which came as no surprise. I’m the type of person who constantly searches for meaning and purpose during every ... Read more

July 27, 2018July 31, 2018

The Day I Was Reminded of SMA’s Unpredictability

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

Can I get a show of hands of all the folks who agree that living with SMA can be incredibly unpredictable? OK, maybe that wasn’t the best way to take ... Read more

July 20, 2018July 24, 2018

Think Before You Stare

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

There’s a paperweight that sits on my desk that reads, “People are going to stare. Make it worth their while.” Apparently, a man named Harry Winston stated this. I ... Read more

July 13, 2018July 12, 2018

First Introductions and Awkward Handshakes

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

What is the first thing you do when introduced to someone? You start off with a simple greeting, state your name, and extend your hand for a firm handshake, ... Read more

June 29, 2018June 27, 2018

Fears, Friends, and Sound Advice

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

Today’s column is brought to you by the gratitude I hold in my heart for friends who give sound advice and are always willing to talk about the hard ... Read more

June 22, 2018June 21, 2018

Swiping My Wheelchair Card

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

When I was in 8th grade, I had an English teacher who saw right through me, in a good way. She didn’t give me special treatment, but she understood ... Read more

June 8, 2018June 6, 2018

SMA and Accessibility at the Happiest Place on Earth

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

My father once made a promise to me as a little girl. I had been in the hospital’s intensive care unit for yet another respiratory infection, and he wanted ... Read more

June 1, 2018May 31, 2018

My Amtrak Experience

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

I’d like to preface this piece by giving a shout out to one of our very own columnists, Brianna Albers. Brianna shared her experience with Amtrak on SMA News ... Read more