Congratulations to a Special Person in My Life
I often write about my personal perspective of life, but today I want to introduce an incredible person to whom I have the privilege of being a big sister. Among the many students finishing up…
From Where I Sit — Halsey Blocher
Halsey is a young woman living with SMA Type I. She received this diagnosis at the age of 15 months after her parents sought multiple doctors’ opinions and genetic testing — a process that has since been made much easier with today’s technology and understanding of the disease. Halsey is an avid reader and enjoys art and crock pot cooking. She also enjoys serving as a volunteer for a disability center in her home state of Indiana. She is now pursuing her writing dream with the hope of offering glimpses into everyday life with SMA and challenging readers to look for the positive in every situation.
Featured Post
Despite Swallowing Issues, I Take Sips of Gratitude With Smoothies
On a hot summer day, you will usually find yourself needing a cool drink to quench your thirst sooner or later. You might choose a cold glass of water, lemonade, soda, or iced tea. My go-to is always some…
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Online Games: My Way of Staying Connected with Friends and Family
Like me, you’ve probably had far fewer face-to-face interactions since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s no longer safe to have company over, and we can’t meet friends or family members for lunch. I’ve been unable to gather…
Celebrating a Year on the Job with Gratitude
This week is my first work anniversary here at SMA News Today. It’s crazy to think that I’ve had this spectacular job for an entire year. There are so many things that I could tell…
Things to Keep You Busy During Coronavirus Isolation
Reports about COVID-19 have been all over the news and social media. People around the globe are being urged or required to practice social distancing, proper hand washing, and sheltering at home to prevent spreading the highly contagious virus.
Should I Bring Up My Disability While Volunteering?
For many years, I’ve been involved in a fantastic local organization called Turnstone that serves the disabled community with a variety of services. I’ve been blessed to benefit from Turnstone’s services since I was 3,…
Living at Home as a Young Adult with SMA
People look at me questioningly upon realizing that I live with my parents at the age of 22. Moving out is often considered a rite of passage. People expect me to do the same, even though many young adults…
Enjoying an Unusual Break from the Winter Cold
A few months ago, I shared a story about a family trip to a pumpkin patch and some of the challenges that I face during the colder times of the year. At the time, I…
A Friendship So Special that Distance Can’t Change It
Because of SMA, I have met people that I might never have crossed paths with otherwise. I’m blessed with the opportunity to connect with nurses, physicians, equipment providers, and other SMA families. I love all of these unique connections,…
Keeping My Goals and Adapting Them to Suit My Needs
Congratulations! You have completed another rotation around the sun. Now that the holiday celebrations are over and we have resumed our normal daily schedules, let us turn our attention toward a common practice at this time of year: New…
Preparing for Christmas Celebrations with SMA
It’s not a secret that I’m not a big fan of winter weather. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like a few things about this time of year. Specifically, I love the winter holidays! Christmas…
I Don’t Need to Win to Be a Winner: Volunteering Is Its Own Reward
My parents and I recently attended a National Philanthropy Day breakfast with a group of staff from Turnstone, our local center for people with disabilities and their families. I’ve been a client at…
Halloween Proved to Be a Treat for Me
I’m staying indoors more and more on Halloween. The cold is taking an increasingly large toll on my body. I roll through the neighborhood with the younger members of my family when the weather is unseasonably warm, but…
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