Why I’m taking Gandalf’s advice as I’m turning 30
“I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.” Frodo says this to…
Articles by Kevin Schaefer
My mom showed me how to advocate for myself
In the 1995 drama “Mr. Holland’s Opus,” the film’s titular protagonist confronts a boardroom of school administrators during…
Reflecting on the disappointing disability representation in ‘Wicked’
Note: This column contains spoilers for the musical “Wicked.” A few weeks ago, I saw the award-winning musical “…
Finding balance between excitement and routine in life with SMA
In every popular sitcom, there’s always a central setting for the characters to congregate. For some it’s a workplace, such…
Reflecting on SMA progression and my blissful blue bench days
When I was a kid, I spent many mornings and afternoons sitting on a padded blue bench with a table…
Keeping secrets, but why? How SMA really affected my school days
Late August marks the start of a new school year, which still affects me even as a 29-year-old working adult.
Let’s end the infantilization of people with disabilities
“Hey, buddy, don’t get a speeding ticket!” “When was his last X-ray?” “Oh, wow, you work!” For whatever reason, society…
The pros and cons of navigating this year’s GalaxyCon in a wheelchair
At the latest pop culture convention I attended, I waited in line for 45 minutes on a Saturday morning with…
Why I approach caregiving as a 2-way street of mutual support
On the last day of the annual Cure SMA conference, the closing session is always a panel called “It’s…
Embracing authenticity at this year’s Cure SMA conference
My 6-year-old niece, Lily, made an astute observation while we were waiting in line at Disney World to get a…