On Sunday, I climbed another mountain, and I’m giving a prayer of thanks and saying, “Hip, hip, hooray!” Why? Because I had my 42nd birthday on July 7. It’s a high moment for me because I’m now 40 years beyond the life expectancy I was given as a…
Soaring With Hope – a Column by Ari Anderson
I’ve written many stories about hope, which has enabled me to climb mountains and achieve my goals. Throughout my journey with SMA, I’ve traveled across many mountain ranges. But what happens if I slip or face an avalanche of problems, causing me to slide back down? There have…
I’ve been through a lot with SMA, but in April, I faced something different. Early that month, my mom and I both tested positive for COVID-19, something we’d strived for years to avoid. It started with body aches the night before I tested positive. The next day, chaos…
I’ve written a lot about the support I’ve received from nurses and others. Although I always recognize the people in my life one way or another, I have yet to celebrate plenty of people, both medical professionals and nonmedical ones, through my columns. Everybody I know has gotten recognition…
Last in a series. Read part one here. Previously, I wrote about an extremely important topic: safety while using the Passy Muir Valve (PMV). This wonderful tool helps people with a tracheostomy improve their vocal communication by redirecting “airflow through the vocal folds, mouth, and nose.” However, all…
First in a series. As someone with SMA, I often think about the safety of my care. Many years ago, I told someone I’d been busy training a new nurse, and the person I was talking to responded, “Ari, you made me laugh out loud!” What was so…
If I could go back in time a year, to Dec. 31, 2022, and retain what I know now, I’d be so excited about the people who would come into my life in 2023. I’m referring to my new nurses, who have been providing me great care. As I…
In my last column, I wrote about feeling as though I’m turning a page in my life. I want to foster a belief in spiritual hope and share it with others one-on-one. So how else am I turning the page, and how does it relate to hope? Let’s look…
So much of who we are is influenced by our family members. I’m not saying that we have to be exactly like them, and we certainly should do whatever we can to not copy bad behavior. Yet the honorable qualities we see in those close to us have a way…
I’ve written about how I’ve looked for my own nurses to provide my SMA care, but I don’t think I’ve been clear that I’m only assisting my home healthcare agency in its search. Over the past 37 years, I’ve used a few home health agencies and spoken with…
