Columns

Embracing the Power of My Voice

Ever since I was a kid, some of my favorite actors have been those who weren’t always in front of the screen. Given my love of animation and motion capture technology, the way that people like Andy Serkis, James Earl Jones, and the late Robin Williams created so…

On Being in Tune with My Body

All my life I’ve been freakishly in tune with my body. It sounds like a great quality to have, right? I’ve always been hyperaware of my symptoms and can spot when something in my body feels off. This bodes well when it comes to viruses and other types of illnesses…

‘Mamba Mentality’: A Legacy Beyond Basketball

Anyone who knows me knows that sports are my favorite thing in the world. Although football is my most beloved sport, basketball has a more personal element to it. For starters, you can see the players more clearly, as they’re not covered with armor like in football. It’s also…

Breathing Easy for 2 Special Boys

After the delivery of our baby Jeffrey, I failed to notice his abdominal breathing. My husband, Randy, possessed both an eagle eye and the presence of mind to ask the doctor and nurses about it. No one on duty seemed concerned, perhaps because Jeffrey had arrived two weeks early.

Ella Expresses Herself and Gains Confidence

Ella spends a lot of time in the breakfast room just off the kitchen. She does her homework at the table, where there are pencils, pens, rulers, scissors, and paper. She plays with her iPad, talks with her friends on FaceTime, and eats her snacks.

Combating Stomach Issues with SMA

For most of my adult life, I’ve been fortunate to maintain my physical health. Aside from a bout with pneumonia in early 2018 and a broken femur the previous year, I’ve experienced an overwhelmingly positive health streak since…

My Caregivers Are My Second Family

I feel like it’s been forever since I last wrote one of these things. It may be because between the holidays, the start of a new month, year, and decade, and school (which is frankly turning out to be the semester from hell), I feel a little bit…

A Friendship So Special that Distance Can’t Change It

Because of SMA, I have met people that I might never have crossed paths with otherwise. I’m blessed with the opportunity to connect with nurses, physicians, equipment providers, and other SMA families. I love all of these unique connections, but I especially cherish my relationship with my best friend, Kim.

Ella’s Mom Goes to the Hospital

Ella’s mom, Lindsay, had a complete knee replacement on Jan. 8. She stayed in the hospital for two days before being discharged. We set her up in a pullout bed in the family room while she recovered. The first week went well: She did her exercises, iced and…