Why light is important in my life with SMA
Many things help me live with SMA, but light plays a special role in my life. There is actual physical light, such as from the sun, and then there’s the light of hope.
Soaring With Hope — Ari Anderson
Ari Anderson resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was diagnosed with SMA type I at 6 months old in 1982. At the time, the prognosis was almost hopeless. Today’s medical therapies have changed the prognosis to hopeful. Yet, the rest of society has a long way to catch up in how they see people with SMA. Through his column, “Soaring With Hope,” Ari shares how he changes views through advocacy, innovative technology, and determination. He inspires hope by helping others rise above their hardships. No matter who you are, through his conversational style of writing, you may find that you have experienced the same feelings and emotions throughout your life as Ari has!
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My goal is to make great events of 2024 more consistent in my life
As I reflect on 2024, I see that some great things have happened for me. I’m trying to figure out how to multiply those great things so they happen more often. This is one…
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How my new home will enrich my life with SMA
Since July, my family has been converting the garage space in our new house into my own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and medical supply room. We’ve faced one challenge after another as we prepare to…
I am encouraged that more people are getting to know the real me
I bravely soar to meet the challenges of SMA with determination and a can-do attitude. But despite my positivity, certain things get me down sometimes. I feel discouraged whenever I think about how…
A vertical platform lift will help me overcome another SMA obstacle
A great relief comes when you’ve been working hard to get through an obstacle and finally see progress. Perseverance is rewarding. In my case, SMA has given me many complicated challenges. As my…
Piecing together our plans for making a successful move
I’m now in a season of life when things that were once taken apart are getting put back together. In my previous column, I explained that after 29 years of living in our…
Transforming our homes into adaptive living spaces
Back in July, I wrote about the small apartment my mom and I used to live in before we moved into a new home when I was 13. In the new house, I…
Spreading a message of hope for SMA Awareness Month
To highlight SMA Awareness Month this August, I could go on and on describing the physical aspects of my life that occur every day. For example, I could talk about the aggressive respiratory…
On my birthday, I reflect on the miracles that have met my needs
On Sunday, I climbed another mountain, and I’m giving a prayer of thanks and saying, “Hip, hip, hooray!” Why? Because I had my 42nd birthday on July 7. It’s a high moment for…
Holding on to hope allows me to turn setbacks into comebacks
I’ve written many stories about hope, which has enabled me to climb mountains and achieve my goals. Throughout my journey with SMA, I’ve traveled across many mountain ranges. But what happens if…
Navigating my experience with COVID-19 with hope and determination
I’ve been through a lot with SMA, but in April, I faced something different. Early that month, my mom and I both tested positive for COVID-19, something we’d strived for years to…
A tribute to the scribes who provided me writing assistance
I’ve written a lot about the support I’ve received from nurses and others. Although I always recognize the people in my life one way or another, I have yet to celebrate plenty of…
