You Really Can Have Too Much of a Good Thing
My life flashed before my eyes. Or, to be more specific, all the meals I’ve eaten in my life flashed before my eyes. I’d determined with complete certainty that I was lactose intolerant. My…
The Wolf Finally Frees Itself
— Brianna Albers
Brianna Albers (she/her) is a crip-cyborg storyteller living in Minneapolis-St. Paul. She was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 in 1996 and lives with co-occurring physical and mental health conditions. By day she works as an advocate, bridging disability and mental health awareness to empower people to live their best lives; by night, she dabbles in imagination, and is currently writing “An Angel in the Garden,” an adult space fantasy with #OwnVoices disability representation. Find her online at briannahopealbers.com and on social media @briehalbers.
Featured Post
I’m learning nonattachment in my course on world literature
Words always come to me when I need them. Lines by Ada Limón, Anne Boyer, and Marie Howe act as life preservers, guiding me back to my center. When life gets tough, I…
Read more
When Life Gives You Lactose Intolerance, Make Lactaid
With all due gravity, I informed the group chat about my latest hypothesis. “I think I might be lactose intolerant.” “NO,” said one friend. “NOOOOO,” said another. I explained that I’d been experiencing some…
Here’s Your Sign to Invest in an Emergency Backup Generator
It was about a week and a half into the “Dad has COVID-19” saga. Mom and I were surviving in every sense of the term. We’re all introverts, and we all hate change.
How I Got to Participate in SMA My Way’s Real Talk Panel
Working with the biotech company Genentech never ceases to amaze me. Back in 2019, when Genentech representatives first reached out to me about an upcoming initiative, I had no idea what to expect.
My Wheelchair Is More Than a Tool — It’s an Extension of My Mind
After two years of tweaking, my new wheelchair is home for good. I think. Most wheelchair users dread new devices. There’s the process of submitting the claim to insurance, which is frankly straight…
When Something Feels Off, You Should Probably Pay Attention
You know when something is wrong, but you can’t put your finger on what, exactly, that is? The past week has been an exercise in expecting the unexpected. I woke up Wednesday morning to…
Wondering How to Use a Syringe? It Makes a Good Life Hack
It all started with a little pink pill. I’m allergic to everything under the sun. Thanks to a complex, multistep treatment regimen, I more or less have my allergies under control. But there…
Because of SMA, I Was Able to Support a Friend in Need
Content warning: The following contains mentions of medical trauma and death. I knew something was wrong. But I didn’t always. When my friend and fellow columnist Sherry Toh messaged me one evening to say…
‘A Cherishing So Deep’: Thoughts on the Everyday
I hoard poems like others hoard sports trophies. It’d be an exaggeration to say that I have a poem for every emotion under the sun. But I do have ones that stick with me,…
A Wedding Has Me Reflecting on the Trajectory of My Life With SMA
I rarely ever cry. That’s a lie. I cry an average amount. I’m especially sensitive in moments of stress or tension. I’ve been known to burst into tears at the first sign of confrontation,…
In Returning to Normal, I Express Gratitude for My Mom
By the time you read this, my dad will be back where he belongs. I am, of course, joking. My dad has a life outside of his caregiving duties, as he should. But there’s…
This Is What Happens When Your Caregiver Gets COVID-19
When it comes to COVID-19, I’ve been pretty darn lucky. I can count on one hand the number of people I know who haven’t gotten COVID-19 — myself among them. Somehow, miraculously, I’ve managed…
