Caregivers are an essential aspect of my life with SMA, because I need assistance to do most of my activities of daily living. But I am learning more and more that caregiving is a strange mix of the deeply practical and the deeply personal — it’s as much…
Caring Together – Connie Chandler
Connie Chandler is a Christ-focused care and support specialist at the nonprofit organization Joni and Friends. She grew up in the foothills of North Carolina but now owns a home and lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was diagnosed with SMA type 2 when she was 18 months old. She believes the best way to receive great care is to give great care to those around her. Through her column, she hopes to share funny and sweet stories about her friendships with her caregivers and the ways they are growing together.
Featured Post
Some of my earliest memories are of my mom helping me get dressed up for ballet. Nothing says prima ballerina vibes like a leotard, some tights, and chunky 80s-style leg warmers. I was 4 years old, and I wasn’t actually going to a ballet lesson; I was going to my…
I’m not one to turn down a compliment, but as a woman living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), I do not consider physical balance to be among my strongest skills. So, when my friend told me as we rode in the car one day that my balance was really…
There are many disabilities out there that significantly affect people’s lives but are not immediately noticeable to the general public. That is not the case with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). As an adult living with SMA type 2, I know I have a few visible, physical indicators of…
I am an adult with SMA who lives independently, so when people learn that most of my caregiving happens through 20-plus volunteer friends, they tend to be a bit flabbergasted. “How?” is the common and predictable question. I’m not someone who loves how-to articles or self-help books, because I…
In my life with SMA, my favorite thing to talk and write about is my caregiver community. They are truly exceptional and amazing people who faithfully show up, step up when my needs change, and courageously do hard and messy things to help me live well. I am…
I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in the mid-1980s at 18 months old. At the time, doctors explained to my parents that, because it is a genetic disease, there was a chance that they would have other children with SMA. Research shows that there is a 25%…
A sick feeling sank like a rock in my stomach. My wheelchair would not fit in the airplane cargo hold, the airline employee told me. My only options were to refund our tickets or reroute us through another airline. My caregiver and I sat there, surrounded by our carry-on bags…
I’m getting ready for a trip to see my dear friend Christi get married this month. It’ll be the first time I meet her soon-to-be-husband in person, and from what she’s shared about him, I am so excited for that moment. Apparently, she has told him a lot about me…
It is always an interesting and fun challenge to navigate my limits and needs while living on my own with SMA. I have a wonderful community of friends and caregivers who come to my house throughout the day and night to assist me. Still, I am constantly on the…
As someone living with SMA, I’m really thankful for the creative products that have been designed and invented to make mobility easier for me. Some of these are add-ons to my wheelchair that we’ve purchased, some my dad has made or modified, and some are things my friends have…
How can I possibly show the deep appreciation that I have for the caregivers in my life with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)? This is a question that burdens me often when I feel weak, inadequate, and overwhelmed by their compassion. But today is Caregiver Appreciation Day, so…
I love to volunteer. If I see a need that I can meet, I am eager to jump in. And if someone asks me to help with a project or service, I am quick to say yes. So much of my life with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) requires me…
Explore More Columns
Discussion
Discussion
Discussion