SMAers are worth more than a stare
People-watching is one of my favorite things to do at Disney World. It’s a free and accessible activity, and…
Articles by Kevin Schaefer
Weighing the pros and cons of artificially intelligent caregivers
The 2002 science-fiction film “Minority Report” imagines a world in which a specialized police unit uses psychic technology…
Having creative outlets sustains me in life with SMA
Actor Ethan Hawke has a TED Talk titled “Give yourself permission to be creative.” In it, he speaks…
Living with SMA makes me feel like an outsider
When I was in middle school, I became acquainted with Ponyboy, Sodapop, Johnny Cade, and the other “Greaser” boys from…
My nonlinear life with SMA means I’m constantly evolving
The 2014 film “Boyhood” caught the attention of audiences and critics upon its release for its wildly experimental…
Why my vest airway clearance machine is like a form of meditation
Machines are a vital and everyday component of my existence. There’s the BiPAP machine pumping air into my lungs…
How a long-distance adventure helped me handle losses from SMA
Traveling to a concert three and a half hours away requires planning, which is all the more true when my…
Judy Heumann’s legacy must not be forgotten
“A hero — not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.” This line from a Batman…
My perspective on disability and loss as someone who was ‘born this way’
The HBO series “The Last of Us” takes place in a dystopian world where zombie-like creatures roam the…
Sleeping problems are another part of the SMA package
The 2021 Netflix movie “Awake” imagines a world in which a mysterious catastrophe wipes out all electronics and…