Guest Voice: Playing a real-life game of Whac-A-Mole

It’s indisputable that people with SMA deal with unpredictable life events. I truly believe that our superpower is becoming exceptionally good problem-solvers and crisis managers out of necessity.

To solve a problem, one usually works through the following steps:

• Stay calm.
• Identify what you can control.
• Develop a plan (while considering different options).
• Take action.
• Evaluate the results.

It’s also helpful to have a flexible mindset and a support system.

As I age, unpredictable health issues become more frequent. Medical conditions, both longstanding and recent, can morph into emergencies without notice.

Especially as a septuagenarian, I really struggle with this and frequently seek support and comfort from my online community and local friends. My nondisabled friends are dealing with their own age-related crises, too, so I reach out to them. But it’s rare that their experiences directly compare with mine or those of my SMA friends.

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I have recently been overwhelmed with medical issues, health insurance, transportation, caregiving, and personal events that “pop up” with no warning and seemingly no end. You would think that after decades of crisis management, I would be a pro.

I try to be intentional about staying calm, focusing on what I can control, developing a plan, and implementing it with (hopefully) successful results. But the steps elude me as my emotions flare. Instead, it feels like I’ve been forced into playing a fast-paced game.

Therefore, I’m now using the term “Whac-A-Mole” to describe my life because problems and crises keep popping up randomly, just like the game. It was popular among teenagers at arcades in the 1970s, and a home version was even sold. The game requires players to swing a toy mallet at the moles or other creatures that pop up from different holes, and the objective is to hit as many as possible. It’s a game of speed and reflexes, neither of which I have ever been good at.

My efforts to resolve the problems — or moles — I encounter in life are only partially or temporarily successful. It’s definitely not a fun game. I try hard to remain calm and not curse during rounds of Whac-A-Mole, but it can be impossible.

Ask me about my life, and the answer can be summed up in a simple phrase: “I’m playing Whac-A-Mole.” Now that I’ve shared my thoughts, I’m curious: Do you feel the same way?

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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.