Ella Has Made Big Gains Since Diagnosis Day
My daughter Ella was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 at 14 months old. Our doctor offered us the hope that although there wasn’t a treatment or cure at the time, there was equipment we…
Five Servings of Strength
— Michael Casten
Michael is married and a father of three, one being a child with SMA Type II (born in June, 2011). He is an educator who has worked directly with children and their families since 1994. He loves his family, writing, working with his hands, and taking road trips. Michael holds a bachelor’s in psychology (1994) and a master’s in education (2001).
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Ella Has Fun While Sheltering at Home
Ella, 10, the youngest of our three children, is thriving. She has friends from school, in the neighborhood, and online. She sings in a community choir, and occasionally plays with her siblings. Due to Ella’s disease,…
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Ella’s Wheelchairs Became Simpler Over Time
Life has been a roller coaster since my youngest daughter, Ella, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 at 14 months old. Shortly after her diagnosis, Ella received a power wheelchair from our insurance…
The Casten Family Prepares for a Different Kind of Holiday Season
This time of year has always been a favorite of my three children. Ava (13), Henry (12), and Ella (10) enjoy the changing leaves and the warm fall days followed by chilly nights. They delight in leaf…
Ella Contributes to the New Casten Family Business
Our 10-year-old daughter Ella, the youngest of three children, was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2, and needs help with many tasks throughout the day. In the mornings, I get her…
After a Hiatus, Ella Sings Outdoors With Her Socially Distanced Peers
Our 10-year-old daughter, Ella, who has SMA, loves to sing. She’ll ask her mother to print out song lyrics and then sit at the kitchen table and sing. Her voice is strong, and her pitch is…
Ella and Her Siblings Have Good Conferences Despite Remote Learning
Our local school district just announced that hybrid learning will start at the end of October. We can choose to participate or continue staying at home and engaging in e-learning. If we chose…
With Fall Upon Us, Our Family Hunts for Pumpkins
A blue sky peered out from behind white, fluffy clouds. Rays of sunlight followed. The air was crisp and cool, and the trees had started to change colors, expressing the coming of fall. Our…
Ella Discovers the Joy of Reading Books
Our daughter Ella is in fifth grade, learning remotely. Every day, she logs into her Zoom classroom and takes on the day’s lessons. She is dedicated to her education and enjoys her classmates, albeit online.
Ella Creates Special Bonds With Her Pets
My 10-year-old daughter with SMA, Ella, loves animals, so much so that she has a computer game simulating the adoption, trading, and buying of animals with others. She and her friends play that game every day.
Making Adjustments After Ella’s Visit to the Pulmonologist
Our daughter with SMA, Ella, had a doctor’s appointment with her pulmonologist recently. Her grandparents took her to the appointment because my wife, Lindsay, and I were working. Ella and her grandparents started their day early and…
Ella Enjoys Her First Days of Remote Learning
Our daughter Ella, who is 10, recently enjoyed the last few days of summer before school started again. During the last of her free time, she played outside, used her iPad, and chatted with friends. She watched…
