Columns

I’m writing this on June 29, the 13th anniversary of my father’s death.    Remembering Dad today is impossible without including Jeffrey in my thoughts. Following his death, our family was reassured by one sign in particular that he had wasted no time in reuniting with…

Last week was Vacation Bible School (VBS) at our church, St. Timothy Lutheran Church. Lindsay is the director of the church’s VBS program and puts months of work into preparing for the week’s events. All three of our kids look forward to VBS, as they know how much fun…

I have to start preparing for the plastic apocalypse. Yes, I may just have to start hoarding plastic bendy straws and forks. And also hopefully never get caught with them. (She says to the entire internet.) Or ever run out. I get it: We want to be eco-friendly. Save the…

I’ve always considered water a healing element. During toddlerhood, my mom connected me with an aquatic therapy center owned by a warm-hearted occupational therapist named Suzy. I swam weekly until my young adult years, when the scenery of my life evolved. I was off to college, and my therapist…

“You don’t have to feel guilty,” my therapist told me. “Just try to enjoy yourself. You won’t make the trip better for anyone by feeling guilty.” I made the mistake of telling my dad about this exchange, so whenever anything remotely inconvenient occurs, he says, “You…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the approval of Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi), the first-ever gene therapy to treat SMA. This amazing news has thrilled the SMA community with its possibilities! Zolgensma opens new doors for increased strength, resistance to illness, and longer lifespans. As…

Sometimes, I wish it were easier. I wish it were easier for doctors to pinpoint the root cause of my mysterious daily symptoms. I would like to receive answers that would better explain the reason behind the health issues that I’m enduring. Aside from giving me…

The last column I wrote was about waiting for our bathroom to be remodeled so that Ella can have privacy and dignity. We’re happy to announce that this modification has been completed and Ella loves the new bathroom. Each time we do a project allowing for greater independence, privacy,…

My life is full of medical appointments, and they all tend to be fairly inconvenient. Necessary, but inconvenient. I can’t attend them on my own because, well, I can’t drive or take care of myself. So, my mom ends up having to take a day off work…

Since I started receiving my Spinraza (nusinersen) treatments in November 2017, my energy level has skyrocketed. Often, I don’t even realize just how good I feel now. Then I think back to when I was a teenager, struggling with sleep apnea…