SMA Takes a Normal Day and Turns It Upside Down
It’s a normal day. Well, mostly a normal day. My parents come into my room at about 4 a.m. to tell my sister and I that they love us and that they’re heading out. They have a three-hour drive…
The Mermaid Chronic(les)
— Kala Godin
Kala is a 22-year-old woman living in Alberta, Canada. She was diagnosed with SMA Type II at 11 months old. She is a columnist, author, and editor. In her weekly column, “The Mermaid Chronic(les),” she discusses life with SMA: from her daily life to the expectation of others. No matter the topic, she tries to keep things silly and sarcastic.
Featured Post
Common New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Apply to Me
Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. For the most part, I already live the way I want to and don’t feel the need to set any new goals, so I end up with the same “resolutions” every…
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Sometimes My Parents Need to Travel, But I Love Staying at Home
My parents recently went on a trip and left me to fend for myself. I’m kidding. My sister was with me. We’re perfectly capable of fending for ourselves and survived purely on junk food, takeout, sugar — and caffeine.
A New Chapter: My First Book Signing as a Published Author
Three days from now, on Aug. 23, I will be doing my first book signing. As I previously have mentioned, my first book, “Witchcraft and Monsters,” was published in January. I now have this…
Our Pets Are Truly Part of the Family
We have a number of pets, including a small, aging Chihuahua and a few cats. They’re adorable and we love them a lot. The cats follow my younger sister around pretty much wherever…
When Getting Tattoos, Placement Is a Key Consideration
I previously wrote a column about body modifications and how my favorite kind is tattoos. When I think about it, I’ve been in to get tattooed every year since graduating high school. Well, every year except for…
Dating, or the Lack Thereof
We see a lot of articles addressing SMA and dating, or dating when an individual is in a wheelchair. I’ve had little to no experience in dating. I had a boyfriend when I was…
We’re Building a Deck so I Can Be Closer to Nature
We’ve finally had some decent weather. It has been rainy lately, which I thoroughly enjoy because I’m allergic (literally, not figuratively) to the burning orb in the sky that is the sun — both my skin and…
Looking for the Good When I’m Feeling Run-down
It is July, the seventh month of 2019, and I am ready for this entire year to be done. I’m not joking. Something drastic and stressful has happened every month so far. Not with me — I’m…
Have List, Will Travel
It’s summertime, and that means holidays, road trips, camping, and hotels. Also, sunburns, mosquitoes, and probably dehydration. I’m kidding about the dehydration. My mom makes sure that I drink more water than she does. I’m…
Preparing for the Plastic Apocalypse
I have to start preparing for the plastic apocalypse. Yes, I may just have to start hoarding plastic bendy straws and forks. And also hopefully never get caught with them. (She says to the entire internet.) Or ever run…
The Struggle of Getting Medical Equipment
My life is full of medical appointments, and they all tend to be fairly inconvenient. Necessary, but inconvenient. I can’t attend them on my own because, well, I can’t drive or take care of myself. So,…
SMA and Progression: Do What You Love While You Can
SMA comes with a lot of challenges. The progression of the disease is the worst — at least, in my experience. About a year to 18 months ago, I finally had to accept the fact that I just…
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