Soaring With Hope – a Column by Ari Anderson

Ari was diagnosed with SMA Type I at 6 months of age in 1982, when the prognosis was almost hopeless. 38 years later, medical therapies have changed the prognosis to hopeful. Yet, the rest of society has a long way to catch up in how they see people with SMA. Through his column, “Soaring With Hope,” Ari shares how he changes views through advocacy, innovative technology, and determination. In his writings, Ari wants to inspire hope by helping others rise above their frustrating hardships.

My experience can teach others about home health nursing

Of the 43 years that I’ve been on my SMA journey, home health nurses have accompanied me for 39 years. I know a lot about home healthcare, particularly how registered nurses and licensed practical nurses work in one’s home. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with home health nursing and…

I’m working hard to overcome my current obstacles

Everyone experiences times when they feel overwhelmed by problems to fix, regardless of whether they have SMA, as I do. My life right now is a work in progress, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m currently addressing two main issues: frequent illness and a lack of nursing coverage.

On either longer travels or day trips, I aim to have fun

I’ve written plenty about how hard I work to keep healthy and prevent emergencies. I work just as hard to figure out new ways to have fun, immersive experiences that can accommodate my physical challenges. Last year for SMA Awareness Month, I wrote that my dream was to travel across…