Columns

November 20, 2019November 18, 2019

Ella Awaits the Results of a Singing Audition

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

Ella has been singing with the Young Naperville Singers (YNS) for a few months now. Her singing voice continues to improve as she gains confidence. She sings around the ... Read more

November 19, 2019November 14, 2019

My Quest for Spinraza, the Elixir of Life

Columns, The Mermaid Chronic(les) - a Column by Kala Godin

One would think it might be easier to get a lifesaving medication, but it’s not.  I pursued Spinraza (nusinersen) for a time, only to stop. I’ve been keeping quiet ... Read more

November 19, 2019November 15, 2019

The Art of Rejuvenation: Time with Fellow Comic Nerds Inspired Me

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

My computer screen stared at me as a wave of unread emails and messages flooded my inbox. I work in management, so it’s not uncommon for me to respond ... Read more

November 15, 2019November 14, 2019

Halloween Proved to Be a Treat for Me

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

I’m staying indoors more and more on Halloween. The cold is taking an increasingly large toll on my body. I roll through the neighborhood with the younger members of ... Read more

November 15, 2019November 13, 2019

I’m Learning to Find Gratitude in Unexpected Ways

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

In this season of giving thanks, I keep reflecting on the importance of gratitude. Gratitude greatly impacts our lives, but as someone with SMA, I’ve found the concept easier ... Read more

November 13, 2019November 11, 2019

Dealing with Additional SMA Challenges as We Battle Illness

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

I’ve been working with elementary school kids for 19 years. Every fall, I catch a cold, but the illness is usually short-lived. However, the Casten household isn’t so fortunate. ... Read more

November 12, 2019November 13, 2019

Progression Looks Different for People with SMA

Columns, The Mermaid Chronic(les) - a Column by Kala Godin

Progression is an odd thing. I find it difficult to measure the progress I’ve made in life. People my age, people I went to school with, are getting married, having ... Read more

November 12, 2019November 13, 2019

My Quality of Life Is as Important as My Physical Health

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

Recently, I spoke with my friends Jim and Becky Berry on the SMA News Today Podcast. In late 2018, they lost their eldest son Carson, who was a college ... Read more

November 6, 2019November 4, 2019

The November We Set Our Angel Free

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

The month of November kicked off eventfully in 1997 in the wee hours of the morning when our electricity went out. Jeffrey, our 5 ½-month-old baby with spinal muscular ... Read more

November 6, 2019November 4, 2019

Casten Kids Make the Most of a Cold Halloween

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

The winds howled and the blustery snow started falling early in the day. It was an unusual sight for the last day of October — Halloween. The city was ... Read more