Columns

August 20, 2018August 16, 2018

Writing My Way Out

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

When I first started writing this column, I wasn’t sure what to say. I have a list of potential topics that I’ve been adding to sporadically, but nothing really ... Read more

August 17, 2018August 15, 2018

The Power of Social Media in the SMA Community

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

Over the past weekend, pictures from the annual candle lighting for SMA that took place on Aug. 11 inundated my social media feeds. As most of our community knows, ... Read more

August 15, 2018August 14, 2018

Two New Sets of Wheels for Ella

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

Kids grow … and Ella’s right there along with them. Since her spine surgery, Ella has gained a bit more than 5 inches in her height. And every three ... Read more

August 14, 2018August 13, 2018

SMA Awareness Month: Why Having SMA Is Both a Curse and a Blessing

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

In the closing scene of the 2002 “Spider-Man” movie starring Tobey Maguire, a solemn Peter Parker leaves the funeral of Norman Osborn with a spirit of both determination and ... Read more

August 13, 2018August 16, 2018

Struggles with Caretaking Can Lead to Stress

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

I’ve been putting this column off for a while. While I’m perfectly fine with sharing some things, I generally don’t like to talk about the people in my life. ... Read more

August 10, 2018August 9, 2018

Why I Wouldn’t Change a Thing During Fundraising Season

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

It seems like just yesterday I was living in a perpetual state of chaos. My life was going a million and one miles per hour, and there was no ... Read more

August 9, 2018August 14, 2018

Is That Paint or Legos?

Columns, Refined By Fire - a Column by Ryan Berhar

Engaging in normal conversations is difficult while in a wheelchair. If people stop staring long enough to say anything at all, it likely will be related to my disability. ... Read more

August 8, 2018August 14, 2018

Ella Makes a New Friend

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

It’s been a long summer. The kids have found things to keep them busy, but playdates for Ella have been few and far between. That is, until new neighbors ... Read more

August 7, 2018August 13, 2018

National Lampoon’s ‘Schaefer Vacations’

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

When you or a family member has SMA, chaos management becomes second nature. You come to expect the unexpected, and you learn to adapt to whatever absurd obstacles come ... Read more

August 6, 2018August 10, 2018

An ENT Appointment Leads to More Questions

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

My head has been feeling pretty good lately, thanks to the humidifier I recently started using. So, today I walked into my ENT appointment pretty optimistic. The nurse was ... Read more