Despite the limitations of SMA, I’m still capable of many things
When I was in college, I had a professor doubt my abilities because I was disabled. I started struggling in…
Articles by Alyssa Silva
How I overcome feeling like a burden with SMA
From the moment I wake up to the time I go to sleep and get lost in my dreams, I’m…
How a nasojejunal feeding tube saved my life
“This is probably my favorite part about having a feeding tube,” I said to my mom as a phlebotomist pierced…
Finding joy in my life amid SMA challenges
When I was a little girl, my parents would take my brother and me to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for family…
From trials to triumphs: 3 lessons I learned while living with SMA
I often daydream about the kind of person I’d be if I didn’t have SMA. It’s not so much…
Navigating contrasting emotions during medical procedures
“You just have to get through one more procedure,” I told myself as I pierced my tongue with my teeth…
Why attending Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ concert was cathartic for me
Crying the moment I saw Taylor Swift on stage wasn’t something I expected to happen. But it wasn’t completely unexpected,…
From the pride of graduating college to the anxiety of finding a job
Although I’m finding it hard to believe, this month marks 10 years since I graduated college. It feels like…
From stares to acceptance: The value of teaching kids how to be inclusive
“Why is she in a wheelchair?” is one of the most common phrases I hear when I’m out and about.
How I learned to prioritize my mental health from an early age
When I was a little girl, I had many life-threatening hospitalizations, the first at 16 months of age. Ten months…