Kevin Schaefer,  —

Kevin Schaefer (he/him) is a writer, podcaster, and lover of all things pop culture. Diagnosed with SMA type 2 at the age of 18 months in 1995, he shares a vast array of hilarious and eye-opening stories from his life with a neuromuscular disability. He works as the associate director of community content for this site’s parent company, BioNews. He also hosts the SMA News Today Podcast. Kevin is a graduate of North Carolina State University and lives with his parents in Cary, NC. People regularly mistake him for Tony Stark, on account of his intellect and advanced technological equipment.

Articles by Kevin Schaefer

On Being ‘Cool’ When You’re in a Wheelchair

On Halloween this year, I dressed as the Marvel Comics superhero Daredevil. Blind lawyer Matt Murdock by day, and superhuman vigilante by night, Daredevil strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies as the guardian of Hell’s Kitchen. He is one of the most iconic…

SMA Creates Unconventional Sibling Relationships

As a kid, I was notorious for dropping my cherished action figures on the floor. Instinctively, I would turn to my older brother Brian to pick them up for me. A little irritated that I had interrupted his marathon viewing of SportsCenter and “Cops,” he had…

On Turning 25

I turn 25 in a few days, which for me is a pretty substantial accomplishment. After four broken legs, two major surgeries, multiple run-ins with pneumonia, a couple of pills shoved up my butt, and far too many catheters, I’ve managed to carry on. I figure…

Lessons from My Former Editor

At the time of writing this, it’s been one week since the company I work for lost one of its true titans. On Sept. 26, our senior managing columns editor, Serena Lawrence, passed away. Beyond being one of the best editors I’ve ever had the pleasure…

Pity and Empathy: There Is a Difference

A few months ago at church, an usher came up to me and made a gesture that was — in his mind — “nice.” Seeing me, the young guy in the wheelchair, he placed his hand on my shoulder and said in a loud voice, “Let me know…

Why I’m Grateful for My ‘Normal’ Education

“Normal” isn’t exactly a word that describes anyone with SMA. We do things differently than most people, have different challenges, and live unabashedly abnormal lives. (Just look at my diarrhea and disability column from last week.) Nevertheless, there is no reason why those of us…

The Woes of Equipment Malfunctions

  In most superhero comics, movies, and TV shows, there’s usually an arc at some point in which the hero temporarily loses his or her powers. This happens in “Spider-Man 2,” “Supergirl” (season two), the first “Thor” movie, and in issue 12 of the comic book crossover “Crisis…