A Wildflower in the Wheelderness – a Column by Katie Napiwocki

March 12, 2020March 10, 2020

A Mountain Is a Mountain, no Matter How Small

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

I’ve come down with a fever. As I sit on my outdoor patio, the tall angle of late February sun kisses my cheeks and warms my bones. From one ... Read more

February 27, 2020February 26, 2020

Discovering Sexual Wellness and Intimacy as a Woman with SMA

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

“So, Katie, how’s your sex life going? Any concerns there?” With weak neck muscles, I craned my neck sideways and forward in search of eye contact with my gynecologist. ... Read more

February 13, 2020February 11, 2020

Peering Through the Fog of Fear

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

I’ve been on hiatus from writing about my SMA. Truth be told, I’ve needed to break away from the constant reminder that SMA rules my life. When it wants ... Read more

July 8, 2019July 2, 2019

Lessons from the Porcupine Mountains

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

Imagine your soul as a canvas that illustrates the story of your life’s journey. Sprawled across an artistic medium, what would your scenery reveal? For some, it would be ... Read more

July 1, 2019August 20, 2019

Whizzing Through Summer: Altering Urination to Enable Hydration

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

I’ve always considered water a healing element. During toddlerhood, my mom connected me with an aquatic therapy center owned by a warm-hearted occupational therapist named Suzy. I swam weekly ... Read more

June 24, 2019June 19, 2019

Days That End in ‘Why’: A Letter to My Parents

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

Dear Mom and Dad, In the wake of FDA approval of Zolgensma, jubilant feelings soar like a kite, beyond the boundaries of wonderful to the highest altitude of hope. ... Read more

June 17, 2019June 13, 2019

Rolling Like the Waves: SMAdventures in Adaptive Sailing

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

Can you recall a day that shines brightly in your mind, as you were immersed in the beauty of nature and adventure all at once? Is there a time ... Read more

June 10, 2019June 6, 2019

‘That Girl in the Wheelchair’: Shaping My Identity Amid Small-town Roots

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

I can’t sit still during a great classic rock tune. Despite my SMA, any muscle fibers that have remained awake will begin to shimmy and shake, and even the ... Read more

June 3, 2019May 30, 2019

Trailblazing Toward a More Inclusive World

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

I recently spoke at an event called “OutWiGo Girls” for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in the enchanting woodland area of Kettle Moraine State Forest. Held in celebration ... Read more

May 20, 2019May 23, 2019

A Spin on Accessibility: Wheeling Through a House of Oddities

A Wildflower in the Wheelderness - a Column by Katie Napiwocki, Columns

In our free time together, my partner, Andy, and I enjoy adventuring. I’m not talking about the classic mammoth-sized endeavors represented by the swingin’ satchels of Indiana Jones or ... Read more

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