As COVID-19 vaccinations continue here in the U.S., I’m noticing that more people are venturing back out into the world and returning to a “new normal.” While I’m glad to see that we’re taking some steps in the right direction, I’m not in a hurry to get back to my…
From Where I Sit — Halsey Blocher
Halsey Blocher is a young woman who was diagnosed with SMA Type 1 in 1999 after a blood test revealed a deletion of the survival motor neuron gene. She now lives with her loving family in Fort Wayne, IN and spends her free time reading, cooking, creating, and enjoying life’s blessings. Halsey is passionate about her work as a Column Lead at Bionews Inc. as well as volunteering with various local organizations. Writing is her lifelong dream, so she uses this gift to advocate and offer glimpses into everyday life with SMA in the hope that it will inspire readers to seek the positive in every situation
Featured Post
For many years, there was a quote hanging in our local zoo, but I no longer remember if it was by Edmund Burke, who (rightly or wrongly) is credited as saying, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little,”…
April has been a special month for me. It probably always will be because April is when I get to celebrate the anniversary of starting my dream job here at Bionews, the company that publishes this website. Last year, I dedicated a column to a few…
My family and I are gathered around the television when one of our favorite shows is interrupted by a commercial. An image is shown of a young person smiling at the camera. They appear to be happy and healthy. Then the screen changes to show the same person lying in…
My wheelchair van pulled up outside of a vaccination clinic downtown where I would receive my first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. This was one of my biggest outings in over a year. Like many in the SMA community, I made the choice to limit most of my excursions to…
Like any proud Irish girl, I love St. Patrick’s Day. (According to Ancestry, I’m exactly 12% Irish.) I always wear customary green to mark the occasion, and I enjoy partaking in festive events. But what I love most about the day is…
As Rare Disease Day approaches on Feb. 28, many in the disability community are seizing the opportunity to share about their diseases and the many aspects of being rare. Having an entire day dedicated to this purpose is wonderful, but let’s not limit these discussions to…
It’s been 10 years since my last hospitalization. I’ve waited a long time to be able to say that, because I’ve never been able to say it before. This is a feat of epic proportions for someone with SMA. It’s even crazier when I reflect on the prognosis from my…
Nearly a month into 2021, I think it’s safe to say we’re all glad to have left 2020 behind us. It certainly wasn’t an easy year. Its hardships likely will go down in the history books. Around the globe, we saw a devastating pandemic, raging wildfires, and a…
Last summer, I met a new friend, Amber Bosselman, at the Virtual Cure SMA Conference. Amber is a certified life coach with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She uses her knowledge to…
In recent years, Disney has started a new trend of turning its classic animated movies into live-action remakes. In 2019, it released a reimagined “Aladdin.” Much of the story stays true to the original film from 1992, and any differences that do occur only serve to make the movie stand…
Thanksgiving is almost upon us. Meals are being planned, and turkeys are being purchased. The delicious smells and flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon will be consumed in many homes. And, my favorite part, thankfulness abounds: Family, good health, the food on the table, and financial stability are commonly counted among…
I’ve been told many times by many people that I should be a counselor. It’s not unusual for my friends, family members, and co-workers to turn to me for wise advice, calm reassurances, or simply a listening ear. I don’t always know the right advice to give, but I try…
Explore More Columns
Discussion
Discussion
Discussion