Bionews Staff,  writers and editors—

  Christie at his 27th birthday party. (Photos courtesy of Luke Christie) This is Luke Christie’s story: In December 2019, I was forced to admit that I could not afford to live on my own. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to secure caregiving…

Friends Eli Rangel, left, Michelle Corley, center, and Tyler Dukes, right, attend the 2023 Cure SMA conference at Disney World. (Photos courtesy of Eli Rangel) This is Eli Rangel’s story: Picture this: Two teens sitting in the back of high school English class, playing Go Fish, while the teacher…

Eloise Pillarella enjoys an accessible hike through an autumn forest during a visit back to New Paltz, New York, her college town. (Courtesy of Eloise Pillarella) This is Eloise Pillarella’s story: Being a high school science teacher with spinal muscular atrophy has taught me much about the world…

At 2 and a half years old, Andrew Cherico was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 3. (Photos courtesy of Andrew Cherico) This is Andrew Cherico’s story: Hello! I am 19 years old and from New York City. SMA has affected my life in ways I never imagined,…

Alina Poklad enjoys traveling, including her trip to Seville, Spain. (Photos courtesy of Alina Poklad) This is Alina Poklad’s story: I was born in Estonia, which was a part of the Soviet Union, and it became an independent country when I was 5 years old. When I was in…

Photo courtesy of Tyler and Dara Bailey Day 30 of 31 This is Tyler and Dara Bailey’s story: My wife, Dara, has never viewed her life with SMA as being different than the lives of people without it. Growing up, she had goals of going to college, having…

Photos courtesy of Keisha and Kea Molina Day 29 of 31 This is Keisha and Kea Molina’s (@kandkcountrysingersmusic) story: Hello, we are Keisha and Kea Molina. We are 27-year-old identical twin sisters from southern New Jersey. We were diagnosed with SMA type 2 at 10.5…

Photo courtesy of Jessica Keogh Day 28 of 31 This is Jessica Keogh‘s story: I’m Jessica Keogh, and I’m the oldest of three, but the only one who shows physical symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress, or SMARD. Despite showing…

Photo courtesy of Maxwell McKnight Day 27 of 31 This is Maxwell McKnight’s (@maxwellmnight) story: Hello! My name is Maxwell. I’m 18 and have just finished my A levels. I have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2. This September, I begin my journey into higher education,…

From left, Corey, Kate, and John Weber. (Photo courtesy of the Weber Family) Day 26 of 31 This is John, Corey, and Kate Weber’s story: When my husband John and I learned our 4-month-old daughter, Kate, had SMA type 1, some of our first thoughts…