Amid the Stress, I Am Finding Time to Rest
There are only a couple of weeks left in the year and although I’m excited for Christmas, I’m also ready for this year to end. Let’s bring back the Roaring Twenties, shall…
The Mermaid Chronic(les)
— Kala Godin
Kala is a 22-year-old woman living in Alberta, Canada. She was diagnosed with SMA Type II at 11 months old. She is a columnist, author, and editor. In her weekly column, “The Mermaid Chronic(les),” she discusses life with SMA: from her daily life to the expectation of others. No matter the topic, she tries to keep things silly and sarcastic.
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Common New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Apply to Me
Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. For the most part, I already live the way I want to and don’t feel the need to set any new goals, so I end up…
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Pondering the Possibilities of the Future
A few columns ago, I wrote that I no longer was pursuing Spinraza (nusinersen). I still have no qualms about that decision, because we have a number of…
Dealing with Inevitable Chest Infections During Cold and Flu Season
At the beginning of November, I got sick. It was inevitable, though I had received a flu shot and we were careful. Sometimes you just get a little unlucky. Usually…
The Pursuit of Happiness: Books
Everything in our lives is difficult, from the things we need to do to survive to the things that we love to do. That doesn’t mean we live a bad…
My Quest for Spinraza, the Elixir of Life
One would think it might be easier to get a lifesaving medication, but it’s not. I pursued Spinraza (nusinersen) for a time, only to stop. I’ve been…
Progression Looks Different for People with SMA
Progression is an odd thing. I find it difficult to measure the progress I’ve made in life. People my age, people I went to school with, are getting married,…
Looking Ahead to November and Beyond
Wow, October feels like it was just yesterday. But it also felt like it took 45 years to end. What even is time? My book signing was on Oct. 2. I…
Confronting Discrimination and Health Challenges Isn’t a Contest
I looked up the definition of “minority group” the other day, and it was defined as “a group that is different racially, politically, etc., from a larger group of which…
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
For this week’s column, I’m going with something more lighthearted: existential dread. I’m kidding. My last couple of columns have been a little dreary in nature. Sometimes that’s what life…
I Am Adapting to My New Diagnosis
As it turns out, I wasn’t able to edit my novel in August as I planned. Hospital visits, fatigue, and vacation got the best of me. It…
Add an MS Diagnosis to My List
“Can I leave?” is a line from my last column. Not many would say that to a possible multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. But by that point, I wanted to…
