Author Archives: Alyssa Silva

A magazine article was my family’s lifeline during my SMA diagnosis

In 1991, before my family had ever heard the words “spinal muscular atrophy” (SMA), my parents desperately sought out answers to my developmental delays. At just 3 months old, I began showing signs of weakness.

How a simple page turn became a big victory

As much as I love to read, sometimes the physical act of doing so isn’t easy. Books quiet my mind. They transport me to another world where hospitals and doctors’ offices aren’t the norm. However, my hands and…

What I hope you’ll understand this SMA Awareness Month

“Don’t worry, we all got the Alyssa lesson before we started working here,” the new fellow joked after having completed his second nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tube exchange on me. Though everyone in the room had a good chuckle,…