Why I Share My Story
Can I be totally real with you for a second? Putting yourself out there into the world is no easy task. Being honest, sharing your truth, and inviting cyberspace into your own…
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.
Featured Post
Navigating the medical mystery of my lower back pain
“I feel like my body is gaslighting me,” I said to my dad in frustration after checking my MRI results. While I was hoping to get some answers, there in plain sight were the…
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It’s Time for More Understanding
I think I can speak for the majority of the disability community when I say that we all crave a little more empathy and understanding from others. While I don’t expect a…
Creating a Silver Lining to Every Story
Last week, I wrote about the harsh reality that sometimes is SMA. I retold the story of my attempt to drive through the mountains of New Hampshire and how after…
SMA May Win Some Battles, but It’ll Never Win the War
Crying at a random gas station in rural New Hampshire was on my long list of things I thought I’d never do. Yet, there I was, two hours away from home, coming…
What the School System Taught Me About Advocacy
Between back-to-school commercials, first-day-of-school posts, and college-move-in-day pictures, this time of year always has me reminiscing about my days as a student. Although I am no longer shopping for notebooks and binders…
When Times Are Tough, at the Very Least, Say Something
For a good chunk of last year, I dreaded when people asked how I was doing. To an extent, I understood their logic. They were genuinely curious about my well-being, and…
The Power of Social Media in the SMA Community
Over the past weekend, pictures from the annual candle lighting for SMA that took place on Aug. 11 inundated my social media feeds. As most of our community knows, this lighting represents…
Why I Wouldn’t Change a Thing During Fundraising Season
It seems like just yesterday I was living in a perpetual state of chaos. My life was going a million and one miles per hour, and there was no stoplight in sight.
After Hard Lessons Come New Beginnings
The past four weeks have taught me some hard lessons, which came as no surprise. I’m the type of person who constantly searches for meaning and purpose during every peak and valley…
The Day I Was Reminded of SMA’s Unpredictability
Can I get a show of hands of all the folks who agree that living with SMA can be incredibly unpredictable? OK, maybe that wasn’t the best way to take a poll. However,…
Think Before You Stare
There’s a paperweight that sits on my desk that reads, “People are going to stare. Make it worth their while.” Apparently, a man named Harry Winston stated this. I did a…
First Introductions and Awkward Handshakes
What is the first thing you do when introduced to someone? You start off with a simple greeting, state your name, and extend your hand for a firm handshake, right? I know…
