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Throughout August, SMA News Today is recognizing Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month with a multimedia celebration featuring a collection of written essays and video interviews from SMA patients and caregivers. These stories highlight some of the unique challenges of living with SMA, including a diverse range of topics: relationships, parenthood, careers, advocacy work, and more. Follow along with the series here with new content published Wednesdays and Fridays, or visit us on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #FacesofSMA.

A couple, one a man wearing a white shirt and red jacket, and a woman with red hair wearing a white shirt share a kiss.
August 29, 2024 by Bionews Staff

It is possible to cultivate marital bliss when you have SMA

Jose Flores is a motivational speaker and author from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He shares his life with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 3 on his website joseinspires.com.  Navigating a romantic…

Kyla Pollock

SMA hasn’t gotten in the way of me having a fun marriage

Kyla Pollock describes the joy, strength, and beauty she's found in being married to Collin, who has SMA type 3, these past 18 years.

August 23, 2024 by Bionews Staff

Personal care attendants have allowed a life of possibilities

Hugo Trevino is a disability advocate and academic adviser from Chicago. He has spinal muscular atrophy type 3 and helps disabled students find success. Having a disability means I cannot do things on my…

Carli Hamilton

Pregnancy with SMA scared me, but motherhood is a delight

Carli Hamilton, who has SMA type 2 was terrified when she found out she was pregnant. But today she shares about the delight she's found in being a parent to her daughter, B.

A man with glasses and sitting in a wheelchair poses, smiliing, with another man.
August 16, 2024 by Bionews Staff

My SMA community educates, cares, lifts me up, sustains me

Ty Dykema is an artist, musician, and punk rock connoisseur from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2. Dykema and his friend Kevin Schaefer attend the Cure SMA Annual…

Kristen Resendez

Despite hardship, I love being the parent of a child with SMA

Kristen Resendez reflects on what it's been like to be the mother of 9-year-old Jack, who has SMA type 1, and what she's learned along the way.

A man poses next to another man, in a power wheelchair, who is wearing a hat.
August 8, 2024 by Bionews Staff

Siblings from family with SMA share love for one another, others

Zack and Zarek Elizondo are brothers born three years apart. They live in San Benito, Texas, where they make music and produce social media content together. Zarek has spinal muscular atrophy type…

Gabrielle Runyn

College life with SMA taught me self-advocacy’s importance

Gabrielle Runyon, who has SMA type 2, encourages others with SMA to practice self-advocacy by sharing about her experiences from navigating university life.

A group of people, outside, cheer and wave at the camera.
August 2, 2024 by Bionews Staff

Advocating for others is how I’m meant to live

For Connie Chandler, who lives with SMA type 2, advocating for herself is necessary, but advocating for others and speaking up for them is what she would rather be doing.

LaMondre Pough

I want you to know SMA makes you a valuable hire

LaMondre Pough, who has SMA type 2, shares a shift in perception that can empower people with disabilities who are entering the workforce. His message? You bring value.

A trio of adults, one holding a baby, and a child seen flexing both arms, are clustered together, showing off awareness ribbons.
July 31, 2024 News by Jacob Harney, PhD

Advocates come together for SMA Awareness Month in August

August is SMA Awareness Month, and members of the SMA community are coming together to improve disease knowledge, patient advocacy, and research funding.

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  • Advances in SMA treatment are like something out of science fiction


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