For most of January, my calendar was filled with appointments and procedures. I’ve found that a crowded schedule isn’t out of the ordinary when living with SMA. Taking care of myself is a full-time job — one that I didn’t sign up for, but still face with strength and…
Life, One Cup at a Time - a Column by Alyssa Silva
When living with SMA, building a survival toolkit is essential. These are the resources and strategies that help me navigate any challenges that come my way. While most items are obvious, such as my medical equipment and assistive devices, my toolkit contains one unusual item that I…
Once upon a time, a pandemic enveloped the world and put my life on hold for years. With a weakened body due to SMA, and without knowing what the virus that causes COVID-19 was capable of, I decided to hunker down and prioritize my health. But while I…
Whenever it snows, I feel like I’m inside a snow globe. The sparkling flakes daintily scurry down, covering the glistening trees and other surroundings. Everything feels magical for a moment in time until, suddenly, the reality of being in an actual snow globe hits me. I’m trapped. Every year, I’m…
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t buy into the hype of New Year’s resolutions anymore. For years, I would set goals and articulate my intentions. I made vision boards. I followed the traditions that come at the start of each new year. However, with introspection and…
This column describes the author’s own experiences with Spinraza (nusinersen). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. When trying to decide on a topic for this week’s column, my procrastination got the best of me, as it usually…
As I check off the last item on my long list of gifts for the family I adopted this Christmas, I say a little prayer that they’ll feel utmost joy and kindness this season. I’ve been adopting families for many years now. It’s my way of saying thank…
Entering the hospital recently for what felt like the millionth time was not my idea of an afternoon well spent. Nevertheless, it wasn’t like I had much of a choice. My nasojejunal feeding tube requires me to go to the interventional radiology department every 10 days to get my…
With a brisk chill in the air and an impending snowstorm near, I’m reminded that it’s officially the time of year when people start asking me, “Where’s your coat?” It’s a valid concern on their part, I suppose. After all, when the weather drops below freezing, the right thing to…
If you’ve never shivered at the sound of someone coughing, chances are you’ve never experienced the weight of a respiratory infection. For someone living with SMA, that’s not usually the case. Getting these infections can be dangerous and life-threatening for us, even if they’re simply common colds. In…
