Outliers, Spotted Zebras, and Life with SMA
Allow me to begin this column by traveling back in time to the days of middle school mathematics. Now, my memory may not serve me as well as it did during my…
Life, One Cup at a Time
— Alyssa Silva
Alyssa Silva is a writer based out of Providence, Rhode Island. She was diagnosed with SMA type 1 in 1991 when she was just 5 months old. Aside from writing, Alyssa is the chief creative officer for an intimates brand and runs a small business selling her artwork. In her free time, you can find her canceling plans to hang out with her golden retrievers, watching reruns of “The Office,” and convincing others why Taylor Swift is the greatest of all time.
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Finding gratitude, even amid the toughest battles of life with SMA
Living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) often means facing many hardships and uncertainties. With physical limitations, emotional hurdles, and complex medical issues, SMA is constantly shaping and shifting my life. Though these are…
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How a Stranger’s Words Pulled Me Out of a Rut
I always struggle with mental health at this time of year. Winter has that effect on me. Each year, I tell myself things will be different, so I map out a game…
On Hiring New Caregivers
Recently, one of our columnists, Kevin Schaefer, took to the SMA forums to discuss his experiences with hiring new caregivers. His portrayal of what these experiences entail certainly resonated with me,…
Maintaining a Social Life Sometimes Involves Creative Thinking
Without coming across like a total diva, I have to ask the Universe a simple question: Is it too much for a girl to get a personal assistant around here? And I’m…
Reflections After My 10th Spinraza Injection
“Are you comfortable, Alyssa?” my surgeon asked while gently leaning over me as I lay on my left side. My quick-witted response assured her there was nothing comforting about a needle in…
Welcome to Life with Vertigo
Hello. My name is Alyssa Silva, and on Jan. 7, I failed my vertigo test. Again. For the sixth or seventh time. Here’s a little useless fact about me: I’m a terrible…
Taking a New Approach to New Year’s Resolutions
Last week, I explained why I’m ditching the “new year, new you” mantra. Today, I’m keeping the conversation going by discussing my alternative to New Year’s resolutions. I’ve never been the…
Why I’m Ditching the ‘New Year, New Me’ Mantra
Since we’re in the season of embracing a new year and all the possibilities that come along with it, I thought it would be a great time to bring this up. For…
Hibernation Preparation: Remembering to Put My Health First
The final countdown is on, my friends. It won’t be long before Discovery Channel airs an hour-long special about the girl in the wheelchair who emerges into her dark, isolated den to…
Honest Conversations Can Lead to More Acceptance
While catching up with a friend recently, I stumbled upon the next topic for this column. It was simple, really. There was no aha moment or life-changing revelation in the conversations we…
Yuletide Greetings and Nostalgic Feelings
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle that is the holiday season, I sometimes feel an overwhelming wave of nostalgia engulf me. To an extent, I imagine we all feel…
Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Remembering to Rest
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time trying to come up with a topic for this week’s column, and it has been rather difficult. Actually, writing in general has been a struggle.
