Columns

July 7, 2020June 30, 2020

The Beauty of Interacting with Strangers

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

“I want to know, can you show me/ I want to know about the strangers like me.” These lyrics from Phil Collins’ “Strangers Like Me” play during an iconic ... Read more

July 6, 2020July 2, 2020

I’m Choosing to Love the Adventure I’ve Been Given

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

My family has a saying: “It’s always an adventure with us.” It originated with Katelyn, an honorary member of the Albers household and my first personal care assistant (PCA). ... Read more

July 1, 2020June 29, 2020

Ella Worries About Bullying in Junior High

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

Ella just finished fourth grade and will be entering her last year at elementary school in the fall. She loved fourth grade and learned so much. She’s a bit ... Read more

June 30, 2020June 27, 2020

Saying Farewell to My Beloved Canine Assistant

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

What follows is possibly the most difficult column I’ve ever written.  Since 2020 has a recurring theme of being a never-ending dumpster fire for everyone, I suppose this bit ... Read more

June 29, 2020June 25, 2020

I’m Tired of Resisting

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

One of my favorite writers, Leo Babauta, is known for his work on mindfulness and simplicity. His blog, “Zen Habits,” is one of few newsletters that I intentionally keep ... Read more

June 26, 2020June 25, 2020

This Year’s Debut Virtual SMA Conference Was a Resounding Success

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

For many years, Cure SMA, formerly known as Families of SMA, has organized an annual conference that brings together members of the SMA community from around the globe to ... Read more

June 26, 2020June 29, 2020

I Hope Telemedicine Is Here to Stay

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

As I’m sure most of us can attest, the world is a messy place right now. It is impossible to ignore. While I have never experienced anything as unprecedented ... Read more

June 24, 2020June 22, 2020

Service with a Smile and a Waggly Tail

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

One month after our baby Jeffrey was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, I met Cindy Schaefer on an SMA message board. Her son, BioNews Services columnist and forums director ... Read more

June 24, 2020June 23, 2020

Ella Loves Summer Play, Even with SMA

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

Ella loves the outdoors. As summer begins in our area, the warm weather follows, with shorts and short-sleeved shirts the preferred attire. But spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) presents some ... Read more

June 22, 2020June 18, 2020

Welcome to the Launch of SMA My Way

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

I am officially a baby influencer. I spent the morning tweaking my social media pages. I’ve been doing that a lot lately, ever since I graduated with a master’s ... Read more