Songbirds reward the stillness that SMA requires
One of my favorite things about springtime is the return of the local bird life, especially the songbirds. While certain species stay through the winter, the warmer weather brings forth a flurry…
From Where I Sit — Halsey Blocher
Halsey Blocher is a young woman who was diagnosed with SMA Type 1 in 1999 after a blood test revealed a deletion of the survival motor neuron gene. She now lives with her loving family in Fort Wayne, IN and spends her free time reading, cooking, creating, and enjoying life’s blessings. Halsey is passionate about her work as a Column Lead at Bionews Inc. as well as volunteering with various local organizations. Writing is her lifelong dream, so she uses this gift to advocate and offer glimpses into everyday life with SMA in the hope that it will inspire readers to seek the positive in every situation
Featured Post
The gifts a movie legend left me
While you might recognize Val Kilmer from iconic films like “Top Gun” or “Batman Forever,” the first of his movies I saw was probably one of my mom’s favorites, “The…
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Chiseling away at inaccessibility, slowly but surely
When I backed off my van’s wheelchair lift, I didn’t find what I expected to. We had just parked at a restaurant we’d never been to in a different town, and I knew there…
Disabled people have hearts to serve others, too
I didn’t expect to find myself participating in a Valentine’s Day card exchange as an adult. I thought such festivities were (sadly) reserved for kids. But then a friend shared a Facebook post last…
Saying so long to a year of countless doctor appointments
It takes a rather large team of specialists and various medical professionals to help manage my care alongside me and my mom, who’s my primary caregiver. That means I have to attend lots of…
Finding the disabled princess I didn’t know to look for
Have you ever dreamed of being a princess (or a prince)? I think most of us have, adults included. I’ve always been a Disney fan, and it has no shortage of princesses to choose…
Choosing to represent the disability community well
Individually and collectively, it’s vital to be sensitive to what’s happening in the world around us. This awareness allows us to be empathetic and strive for change that improves society for ourselves and others.
The cloak of disability and the power of perception
“Are we wearing a cloak of disability?” my mom asked as a vehicle pulled out in front of our wheelchair van. At least, that’s what I thought she said. It turns out that she…
Here’s what African elephants and living with SMA have in common
Elephants have long been my favorite animal. I even have a collection of items depicting them. I’m captivated by the majestic giants whose eyes seem to convey vast wisdom and an array of relatable…
The challenges of cheering on others while living with SMA
I’ve been blessed to grow up in a city that’s mindful of accessibility and inclusion, which means there’s an abundance of accessible activities to participate in. Throughout my life, this has provided opportunities for…
Creating wheelchair art to reflect the beauty of life
In a tourist shop on the coast of Lake Michigan a few summers ago, my mom spotted a sticker depicting the town’s lighthouse in the style of my favorite painting, Vincent Van Gogh’s “…
Leaning on support networks doesn’t negate our independence
There’s a trend taking root in the SMA and disability communities that has me worried. It’s the idea that to gain independence as disabled adults, we must separate ourselves from our…
