Columns

How SMA Affected My College Transition

As I’ve written in previous columns, my college years were some of the best years of my life. I discovered my passion for journalism, made lifelong friends, became more independent, and most of all, I acquired the perfect nickname: Schaef-Dawg. Credit to my former…

My Amtrak Experience

I’d like to preface this piece by giving a shout out to one of our very own columnists, Brianna Albers. Brianna shared her experience with Amtrak on SMA News Today last year and was incredibly kind in answering all of my questions and easing my…

Social Media Is a Double-edged Sword

The internet is a valuable tool for someone like me, especially for the purpose of social platforming. I can’t do much socializing in real life. Whether the environment is too loud for me to be heard, the venue is inaccessible, or the activity is something that I physically can’t…

Wheels for Ella

Summer is here and in full force. Ice cream trucks, sprinklers, and lazy days abound. Bike riding also tops off the season. Ella can now join in a way that she couldn’t do before! Through the generosity of the Jonathan Goers Bike Club and the coordination of…

People with Disabilities Want to Work

App.com recently ran a story about a college student with SMA at Georgetown University. Anna Landre graduated from Freehold Township High School, in New Jersey, as valedictorian in 2017. She is currently thriving as a college undergraduate and was recently offered a summer internship.

Patiently Waiting for an Itch to Be Scratched

I’m going to state the obvious: The list of things this disease prevents me from doing is a long one. So, when I have to rely on others, patience has become an imperative virtue. If I need an itch scratched, I wait for someone to drop what they’re…

Looking Back and Looking Forward

This week, my Facebook news feed was filled with graduation pics, friends posting sentimental messages about the times they had in college, and of course, even sappier posts from their parents. Then, if friends aren’t graduating, they’re getting married, starting new jobs, or moving away from…

When the Impossible Becomes Possible

I’m writing this the night before my best friend’s plane lands in the U.S. I’ve been working nonstop the past three weeks to make sure everything is ready for her arrival, so this installment of my column probably won’t sound as nice or be…