“Take the burden from my arms/ Take the anchors off my lungs …” This is the opening line to “Live It Well,” one of my favorite songs, by Switchfoot, one of my favorite bands. I woke up listening to it last week, and was struck by how…
Caring Together - a Column by Connie Chandler
“If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate, just give me a yell!” Pam says on Saturday nights as she tucks me into bed. “OK, you, too!” I reply, and we giggle and bid each other good night. She closes my bedroom door and goes to sleep in the adjoining…
A few years ago, a good friend of mine named Essie found out that her newborn daughter had been diagnosed with SMA. She reached out to me then, as she knew I had SMA, too. She had so many questions, so I went to my mom because she is…
Last week, I ran 4 miles in 50 minutes. “Big deal,” you might say. “You ride in a power wheelchair that can go 6 miles per hour.” All very true. Because I have SMA and cannot walk or bear weight, I use a power wheelchair as my primary…
“Come on, girl, just use your four extra arms!” I often tease my friends like this when we’re trying to accomplish a tricky caregiving task together. Some things would go a lot smoother if we had more hands helping out, but because my spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) weakens my…
The other weekend, I was invited to a golf tournament. It was a gorgeous day, and I rarely turn down an invitation for a good time, so naturally, I channeled my inner Rory Gilmore, donned my cutest golfing outfit, and asked my official caddy to tote my clubs…
One of the most common questions new friends ask me is: “Do you drive?” When I’m feeling snarky, I refer to my wheelchair and respond: “All the time.” But I know they are actually wondering if I drive a car. It’s a valid question because many people with disabilities do…
“What are we making for dinner today?” my friend asks as we head to my kitchen. I love when she says “we,” because she knows I like to be an active participant in this process. It isn’t just her making something for me; it’s both of us making something together.
What comes to mind when you think of Labor Day? For some people, it might mean a cookout, a day trip to the lake, or a last, desperate dip in the swimming pool. For me, it conjures up memories of hairspray, big puffy dresses, multiple ringing telephones, video cameras, and…
My parents came to visit me last weekend. For the past three years, I’ve been living on my own, 600 miles away from them. I love my home and my community, and I know that for now, I’m where I’m supposed to be. But there are times when I miss…
