The Wolf Finally Frees Itself – a column by Brianna Albers

Brianna (she/her) is a crip cyborg storyteller living in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She was diagnosed with SMA Type II at 9 months of age and lives with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions. By day, she works as an advocate, bridging disability and mental health awareness to empower people to live their best lives; by night, she dabbles in imagination, and is in the process of making the book of her heart, “#WaningCrescent,” the best it can be. Find her online at www.briannahopealbers.com and on social media @briehalbers.

November 30, 2020November 23, 2020

My Period Reminds Me of the Inevitability of Disease Progression

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

Once every few weeks, I’m reminded of my own mortality. A lot of folks dread their period. It’s a definitively unpleasant time between the cramps and the blood and ... Read more

November 23, 2020November 19, 2020

I’m Disappointed, and That’s OK

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

Can I be real for a minute? Totally honest? Maybe even a little bit of a downer? I’m disappointed. 2020 was supposed to be my year. I had all ... Read more

November 16, 2020November 12, 2020

Hope, Uncertainty, and Shooting for the Stars

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

I’m lucky in that, for the most part, I don’t have trouble falling asleep. I am, of course, perpetually exhausted, which probably plays a role, but I like to ... Read more

November 9, 2020November 5, 2020

When It Rains, It Pours

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

We all know the saying. It can never just sprinkle. It can never just be a gentle spring rain, with sprouting blades of grass and birds twittering about new ... Read more

November 2, 2020October 29, 2020

‘Livin’ It Up on Top’: To the Worlds We Dream About

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

If you live in the U.S., or are in any way, shape, or form active on social media, you’ll know that Tuesday is a big day for us Americans. ... Read more

October 26, 2020October 23, 2020

My Body Is My Home

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

I write a lot about the body. It’s inescapable in my line of work. I identify as disabled, and more than that, my disability is painfully visible. But my ... Read more

October 19, 2020October 15, 2020

In Defense of Cybernetics

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

If you’re a member of the SMA News Today Forums, you might know that I trialed the JACO robotic arm a few months ago. When I heard that Numotion ... Read more

October 12, 2020October 8, 2020

The Evrysdi Chronicles: Waiting for a Diagnosis

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

Let me set the scene. It’s 9 a.m. I’ve been awake since 6. My poor, sweet dad has been up since 5:30. We’ve been preparing for this gut punch ... Read more

October 5, 2020October 1, 2020

Doggone It, I Deserve It!

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

Every once in a while, I get the urge to go to the hospital. I’m not sick. I’m not concerned for my health. But there’s something about hospital stays ... Read more

September 28, 2020September 24, 2020

Shine Meditations Are Helping Me Build Somatic Awareness

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

I’m a big fan of mindfulness. In theory, at least. Mindfulness is associated with all sorts of benefits: greater tolerance, focus, and self-acceptance, decreased reactivity, an understanding of negative, ... Read more