What the Patriots’ playoff mantra taught me about life with SMA
It's enough to show up as I am, with what I have, and surrounded by my team
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Lately, I’ve been asking myself whether what I have right now is truly enough to carry me through the hard seasons.
It comes as the New England Patriots are heading to the AFC championship game. For a lifelong fan like myself, it has been an exciting season to watch, with new players, new coaches, and a quarterback who one day may be as great as the legendary Tom Brady. When the Patriots entered the playoffs, my love for them grew even bigger, as their motto became “We all we got. We all we need.”
On a deeper level, it’s a mindset of resilience. It’s a message that reminds us to stop looking outward and start turning inward when the stakes are high. What we have in this moment is enough, regardless of our circumstances. I simply cannot stop thinking about this.
My body is all I need
As someone living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), I believe this phrase stretches far beyond a game of football. After all, my life wasn’t built on ideal conditions. When I was diagnosed, I was given a life expectancy of two years. As a child, I faced many illnesses and learned how precious life was at an early age. When I grew older, I faced disease progression, more illnesses, and the everyday difficulties of navigating through life with a debilitating disease. My days have to be meticulously planned around appointments and caregiver schedules. Energy has to be rationed. The list goes on.
At times, it’s easy for me to consider the “what-ifs” in my life. What if my body worked differently? What if I had more strength? What if I didn’t have SMA? Would my life have turned out better?
When my circumstances become dire, or when I feel defeated by the challenges life throws at me, these intrusive thoughts tend to creep into my mind. But the Patriots’ playoff mantra challenges this mindset. It reminds me to stop waiting for a version of myself that doesn’t exist and to honor the one that’s already within me, the one whose strength doesn’t come from muscles but is found in the way I adapt, persist, and choose to show up. When I look at my life through this perspective, I realize I don’t have to become somebody more worthy or capable. My body is all I have, and my body is all I need.
Another reason why this phrase resonates so deeply is that, like football, SMA is a team sport. While I’m proud of my strength, grit, and perseverance, they can only take me so far. Instead, I know that to win the game of life with SMA, I need to also rely on my teammates — my family, friends, medical professionals, caregivers, and even strangers who play a role in this journey. These are the people who understand the unspoken parts of this disease, the trials and tribulations, and the complexities of everyday life.
When I watch the Patriots play every week, I don’t see one person dominating on the field. I see a team of people coming together to support one another and help each other succeed. It’s a firm reminder that, SMA or not, we’re not meant to succeed at life alone.
As the Patriots head to the AFC championship game, I can’t help but think back to how last season ended with a dismal 4-13 record. Going into this season, their conditions were less than ideal. They were the underdogs that many NFL analysts and experts didn’t expect to get very far. But that didn’t stop them from working together to climb back to the top of the leaderboard.
Similarly, life with SMA doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. Instead, it requires me to show up as I am, with what I have, and surrounded by the people who carry me when the weight of my world feels too heavy. Just like every great sports team, my team and I adapt. We adjust. We refuse to sit on the sidelines and let SMA win. The game may not be easy, but it is certainly worth it.
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.
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