Columns

June 4, 2020June 2, 2020

Waiting for Fireflies

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

Dusk was settling in. The sun had clocked out for the day, and as it traveled farther and farther away toward its sleeping quarters, the moonlight grew radiant in ... Read more

June 3, 2020June 1, 2020

Ella Skips a Level in Choir

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

Ella has always loved to sing. Because she can’t join physical activities or play an instrument, we decided to enroll her in the Young Naperville Singers (YNS) choir. Ella ... Read more

June 1, 2020May 28, 2020

Adapting to Cat Motherhood, SMA-style

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

“I know I’m on my period,” I told my dad, “because I’m crying at the mere possibility of Rey not knowing that I love her.” Rey, of course, is ... Read more

May 29, 2020May 27, 2020

Raising a Puppy Is Hard but Rewarding Work

Columns, From Where I Sit - a Column by Halsey Blocher

We recently welcomed a new addition to our family. Our adorable puppy, Thor, is a mix of Australian shepherd (75%) and blue heeler (25%). Another name for this mix ... Read more

May 29, 2020May 27, 2020

My Own Kind of Digital Detox

Columns, Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva

Digital detoxes are all the rage these days, and for a good reason. If you didn’t already know, a digital detox is time spent disconnecting from all devices with ... Read more

May 27, 2020May 26, 2020

Jeffrey, Clara, and James: A Love Story

Columns, We're Not in Kansas Anymore - a Column by Helen Baldwin

Our son Matthew and daughter-in-law Jill handed me a Mother’s Day card in 2015 with instructions to read it aloud. I didn’t pay attention, however, so my deafening squeals ... Read more

May 27, 2020May 21, 2020

Ella’s Spinraza Treatment Looks Different Due to COVID-19

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

My alarm went off at 7:09 a.m. I rolled out of bed and walked into Ella’s room. She lay sleeping peacefully. I went downstairs and met both dogs, who ... Read more

May 26, 2020May 22, 2020

Thoughts About Risdiplam: Pros and Cons of Starting a New Treatment

Columns, Embracing My Inner Alien - a column by Kevin Schaefer

As I lay sideways on the operating table for my most recent Spinraza injection, my neurologist asked me about an upcoming SMA therapy. He and I like to make ... Read more

May 20, 2020May 18, 2020

Ella Must Test for COVID-19 Before Her Next Sprinraza Treatment

Columns, Five Servings of Strength- a column by Michael Casten

Ella looks forward to her Spinraza (nusinersen) treatments for SMA. She knows that Spinraza helps her get stronger. And while she doesn’t like the smell of the anesthesia, she ... Read more

May 19, 2020May 15, 2020

That Pesky Pre-Spinraza Injection Fatigue

Columns, Embracing My Inner Alien - a column by Kevin Schaefer

When I began my journey with Spinraza (nusinersen) in November 2017, I had little more than an inkling about what to expect. At the time, I was more concerned ... Read more