How my childhood comfort movie grew into a once-impossible reality

There are often movies from our adolescent years that we continue rewatching no matter how old we get. They feel a bit like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket. I was definitely a Disney kid, so for me, “Camp Rock” and its sequel easily make that list, largely because I was (and still am) a huge fan of the Jonas Brothers, who starred in both films.

As much as I love the actors, music, and plot lines of those movies, I’ve come to realize that there may be an additional factor that draws me back time and again. They also brought me joy during some of the most challenging health experiences of my SMA journey. The movies premiered in 2008 and 2010, and in 2011, I went through my longest and hardest hospitalization to date.

I wasn’t exactly in great health leading up to that time, either. That event was the final life-or-death battle resulting from an illness that developed into pneumonia, which kept pushing my body past its physical limits before it could recover. This eventually necessitated the higher levels of medical intervention and care that now support my wellness.

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During a shorter hospital stay, our family was visited by a staff member who explained that part of her job was to make hospital admissions more comfortable for kids, whether by decorating the room or by bringing items and activities to cheer them up. She wanted to know about my interests so she could find ways to do that for me. I think it was my mom who told her I was into the Jonas Brothers and “Camp Rock.”

Hospitals and other children’s organizations often receive far fewer donations geared toward older children and teens — an issue I could write a whole other column about — so it wasn’t the easiest request to accommodate. But somewhere in the depths of the donation closet, this woman managed to find a guitar-shaped “Camp Rock” corkboard, and I loved it. When I was released, the guitar board came home with me and hung on my bedroom wall until it literally started falling apart years later.

As time passed and my health continued to decline, I kept watching those movies and listening to my favorite boy band. I couldn’t really engage with it as my condition increasingly deteriorated, but while my body and mind were too battered to make even simple choices like entertainment, my mom and family selected what they knew I enjoyed.

Some of that I can hazily remember, but because of the severity of my illness, there’s much I cannot. Either way, I’m grateful for the movies and music, and for any comfort or joy they may also have provided to those around me.

A childhood dream fulfilled in adulthood

Halsey Blocher joyfully watches the Jonas Brothers concert finale in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 1, 2025, a gift for her birthday a few months earlier. (Courtesy of Halsey Blocher)

Despite having been a Jonas Brothers fan since the band’s inception, I never had the opportunity to see them perform live. It was a childhood dream that Mom made come true last year when she gave me concert tickets for my birthday. She did tons of research to find a venue within a reasonable driving distance for an overnight trip that would give me a clear view of the stage from the accessible seating section. She chose floor seats in Lexington, Kentucky, which was an incredible experience.

There was a time when a trip like that wouldn’t have been possible for me, and I wasn’t expected to even survive long enough for that to become my reality in the future. Being strong and healthy enough to live out that dream with people I love is a gift in itself. We even got to share the moment with a friend who has SMA and her dad, who we didn’t know were also traveling to see the same show! And getting to see some of my favorite artists perform from mere feet away instead of on TV from a sick bed was something I’ll always cherish.

To top things off, Disney released “Camp Rock 3” a couple weeks ago with appearances from original cast members, including Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas, as well as Demi Lovato. Like me, camp has grown and changed in the last 16 years. There are new trends, styles, and characters, but the heart of it remains the same: young people expressing themselves and building connections through the power of music.

Today, an SMA diagnosis may look completely different from when I was a kid, thankfully. But whether it’s a rare disease or something else, I hope that whatever the next generation of fans are experiencing, this new story offers them the same joy and comfort that the originals still give me. And whatever their dreams are, I hope they get to live those out someday.

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.