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…
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
Sharing my wealth for my golden birthday and beyond
I just turned 26 on Sept. 26, which makes it my golden birthday. Never heard of a golden birthday? You’re not alone. It’s believed they were invented by American author and teacher Joan Bramsch in the 1950s. She…
Read more
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…
Adventures from the Pumpkin Patch: Overcoming Obstacles to Enjoy the Last Warm Days
Summer has drawn to a close, and Mother Nature has begun painting the trees in beautiful fall colors. As fall arrives, the temperatures also begin to change. Unfortunately, cooler weather tends to be hard on my body,…
My Family Is Thankful for the Nurses Who Care for Me at Home
In January 2011, I had a period of illness that sparked an emergency tracheostomy surgery. It also marked the time that home nursing care was unexpectedly thrust into my family’s lives. In the years since…
Counting to 22: Each Year Is a Blessing
As my 22nd birthday rapidly approaches, I almost can’t comprehend it. The thought of my birthday has seemed surreal for the past several days. To most people, turning 22 probably isn’t that big of a deal. You don’t get…
Nice to Meet You! Greeting Someone with a Disability
Have you ever seen a person with a wheelchair rolling toward you and wondered how you should react? You’re likely not the only one. Here are a few pointers for the next time you find yourself in this situation:…
Sidelined: Being Sick When You Have SMA
Being sick tends to take a lot out of people with SMA, and the healing process is often slow. A few days after returning from a family vacation this year, I started to feel ill.
