Disabled people have hearts to serve others, too

I didn’t expect to find myself participating in a Valentine’s Day card exchange as an adult. I thought such festivities were (sadly) reserved for kids. But then a friend shared a Facebook post last year inviting people to join a card exchange for anyone with SMA and their siblings.

After signing up, I ordered craft supplies to make my own cards and goodies to send with them. I’d recently seen a video demonstrating how to make a fun folding card that would expand into an interconnected heart pattern, and with the help of my mom and nurse, I ambitiously hoped to replicate it with Valentine’s-themed paper.

Of course, the instructions weren’t as easy to follow in real life as the video made them seem. We played it over and over, pausing at different points, to deduce the exact shape of the different pieces and how they went together. With teamwork, testing, and determination, we got the hang of it.

Recommended Reading

October 24, 2024 Columns by Jasmine Ramos

Finding purpose and joy through the gift of volunteering

The dining table then became a card crafting station where we each worked on the components that fit our skills and abilities. I relied entirely on Mom and my nurse for the labor-intensive steps that I don’t have the physical strength for, such as cutting out the many intricate pieces, folding the paper, and tying ribbons into bows. Once they’d cut out a selection of parts, I focused on choosing the color combinations and pasted them together with a glue stick as they were handed to me.

It was quite the workout for my arms, and I had to ask for help or take breaks whenever I got tired. But it was worth the effort. After about a week of work, we’d successfully assembled several dozen cards together.

Halsey Blocher is surrounded by a display of Valentine’s Day cards she received from the SMA community in February 2024. (Courtesy of Halsey Blocher)

Shortly thereafter, group members received their packages of cards and began posting pictures. It made me smile to see that what we made was a part of something that brought joy to both friends and strangers. I also loved receiving my own package of thoughtful cards that spoke to everyone’s unique personalities, which made me smile all over again.

For this year’s exchange, I chose to send colorful premade cards with heartfelt, scriptural messages inside. This may come as a surprise to those who know about my love for handwritten cards, but I felt that these would perfectly reflect the goodness and joy I wanted to give. It’s not just the physical effort that counts. Even more so, it’s about the heart and intention behind each action, big or small.

Practicing what I preach

I’ll admit that I didn’t initially plan on signing up for the event last year. It was a great idea, but I didn’t want anyone to be obligated to spend their efforts on me. I considered asking if I could send cards to others without receiving any in return, but then Mom reminded me of something I say often: Disabled people also deserve opportunities to give and serve others.

There are many great people and organizations dedicated to serving disabled populations in different capacities. I’ve been fortunate to benefit from them and also come alongside them in carrying out their missions. But there have also been times when I’ve found it difficult to get involved as more than a recipient. Sometimes, when people are providing services to disabled communities, they innocently fail to recognize that we can share their heart, purpose, and motivation for service.

Being disabled doesn’t disqualify anyone from service to others, even if we ourselves fit the same category as them. In fact, many of us lean on our personal life experiences to connect with those we wish to help on a more meaningful, human level and better understand their needs and desires.

But sometimes, the best way to serve is to allow others to experience the fulfillment of giving their own time and talent. I came close to accidentally denying my community that opportunity — and depriving myself of the joy of being showered with their love and creativity — when I almost turned down those beautiful cards.

The SMA and disability communities are so full of people with hearts overflowing with love. And supporting and encouraging others are among the things we do best. But disabled or not, we’re all uniquely equipped to be able to serve others from the heart. And the good news is that the world is full of opportunities for everyone to both give and receive an abundance of kindness and love.

Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.