The Wolf Finally Frees Itself – a column by Brianna Albers

November 4, 2019October 30, 2019

My Nighttime Anxiety Leads to Scary Imaginary Scenarios

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

I have this nagging feeling that I’m going to die in bed. My parents sleep in the basement, so when I need to be rolled at night, I scream ... Read more

October 14, 2019October 10, 2019

The Interactions That Stay with Me

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

A few weeks ago, my mom and I went to Junk Bonanza, a vintage market that’s held twice a year at the local horse racing track. I feel twice ... Read more

September 16, 2019September 18, 2019

Happiness Never Looks Like You Think It Will

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

As a kid, I assumed that happiness would be accompanied by a kiss in the rain, like the iconic scene between Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray in “A ... Read more

August 19, 2019August 27, 2019

Advocating for Myself on My Accutane Journey

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

In case you’re wondering, the miraculous acne medication, Accutane (isotretinoin), is as fun as it sounds. Accutane is a six-month program, which means I have three months left. The ... Read more

July 22, 2019July 18, 2019

The Wolf Finally Frees Up Its Schedule

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

I was the kid with 50 different diaries. Usually pink with sparkles. Bonus points if they came with their own bejeweled pen, because what 9-year-old girl doesn’t like rhinestones? ... Read more

July 15, 2019July 11, 2019

Learning the Importance of the SMA Community

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this year’s Cure SMA Conference. I’d attended only once before, but I was too young to care about anything except for the ... Read more

July 8, 2019July 3, 2019

‘The Wolf Finally Frees Itself’: Revisiting the Title of My Column

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

Between the wheelchair, the pristine white Keds, and the pink baseball hat, I stand out. But I can’t say that I’m used to strangers stopping me in the middle ... Read more

July 1, 2019June 27, 2019

It’s a Wonderful Life Even When Travel Plans Go Awry

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

“You don’t have to feel guilty,” my therapist told me. “Just try to enjoy yourself. You won’t make the trip better for anyone by feeling guilty.” I made the ... Read more

June 24, 2019June 20, 2019

Finding Serenity in the Eye of the Storm

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

If you’ve been keeping up with my column, you’ll know that my parents and I are essentially living in a no-fly zone (only our closest friends are allowed to ... Read more

June 17, 2019June 13, 2019

Reining In My Illness Anxiety Is an Ongoing Effort

Columns, The Wolf Finally Frees Itself - a column by Brianna Albers

Before I knew what illness anxiety was, I made excuses for my ever-present fear of death by the common cold. “I was supposed to die at 9 years of ... Read more