Having SMA comes with numerous challenges, but one of the best ways to make things more manageable is to engage with the SMA community. While things like the annual Cure SMA conference are great, it’s important to stay active in the community year-round. To help guide you, here are three…
Many medications and therapies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) need to reach the spinal cord to be effective. However, this can be quite difficult to achieve as many medications have trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier that protects the spinal cord. Some drugs and therapies are able to cross the barrier, but others such…
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or speech-language therapists (SLTs) do much more than help people with speech problems such as stuttering or mispronouncing words. For children and adults with neuromuscular disorders like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophy (MD) and amyotrophic lateral…
The winter can be a challenging time of the year for SMA individuals. Not only do cooler temperatures make it difficult for any wheelchair-user to move their hands and drive, but it’s also important to take extra measures to prevent colds. To help make this season more manageable, here are…
According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand, there are some vaccinations that all people who have a neuromuscular disorder should have on an annual basis, as well as other considerations to make about vaccinations. MORE: Spinal cord delivery options for SMA drugs and treatments…
Blog Blogger Jon Morrow has made a name for himself over the years writing viral content for sites like Copyblogger, and coming on a wide range of entrepreneurial podcasts. He currently resides in Austin, Texas as the CEO of Smart Blogger, while also managing his…
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can be a difficult disease to manage, and can very easily impact a person’s mood. While SMA can lead to depression, or even exacerbate a preexisting diagnosis, it is possible to moderate the symptoms of disorders such as major depressive disorder…
The following videos show how people living with muscular dystrophy (MD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) can smash the stereotypes associated with having a disability, and lead rich and full lives. MORE: Talking to family members about your child’s neuromuscular disorder First up is 35-year-old Michael Klinkhamer, who has Becker…
In the second episode of the SMA News Today podcast, Community Editor Kevin Schaefer interviews author Ben Mattlin. Mattlin is a Los Angeles-based writer living with SMA type 2. MORE: Three resources to help with booking accessible transportation Mattlin’s first book Miracle Boy Grows…
Transferring an SMA individual in and out of their wheelchair can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have the proper equipment. While there are many types of Hoyer lifts, one of the most innovative and easy-to-use is the Molift Nomad ceiling hoist. Developed by Etac, the Molift Nomad…
