A Wildflower in the Wheelderness – a Column by Katie Napiwocki

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

May 13, 2019May 16, 2019

Colorful Adaptations: Crafting a Beauty Routine with Weak Hands

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

Like many others with SMA, my functional dexterity is limited. I’m grateful to still have the ability to write legibly, type on my keyboard, and maneuver my nimble fingers ... Read more

May 6, 2019May 2, 2019

Learning to Shine: What Being a Woman with SMA Means to Me

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

I’m a strong, 30-something woman with SMA who feels beautiful, inside and out.  One of the most meaningful compliments I’ve ever received was scrawled across the top of an ... Read more

April 29, 2019April 26, 2019

SMAdventures: A Rendezvous with Tolkien

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

Let me tell you about a summer to remember, a time when I journeyed to distant lands where magic danced across darkness and light. My wheels rolled beyond emerald ... Read more

April 22, 2019April 18, 2019

Blackberries and Cream: Owning My Story with SMA

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

Tucked away near the rustic shores of a quaint lake sits my childhood home: a ranch house built of sincere brick and steadfast mortar. A wistful flowering crab tree ... Read more

April 15, 2019April 12, 2019

A Wildflower in the ‘Wheelderness’

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

We are all affected by changes that call for us to acclimate to the seasons of our lives. Year after year, a wildflower finds its place under the sun. Spry ... Read more