Author Archives: Connie Chandler

“If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate, just give me a yell!” Pam says on Saturday nights as she tucks me into bed. “OK, you, too!” I reply, and we giggle and bid each other…

A few years ago, a good friend of mine named Essie found out that her newborn daughter had been diagnosed with SMA. She reached out to me then, as she knew I had…

Last week, I ran 4 miles in 50 minutes. “Big deal,” you might say. “You ride in a power wheelchair that can go 6 miles per hour.” All very true. Because I have SMA and cannot…

“Come on, girl, just use your four extra arms!” I often tease my friends like this when we’re trying to accomplish a tricky caregiving task together. Some things would go a lot smoother if we had more hands helping…

The other weekend, I was invited to a golf tournament. It was a gorgeous day, and I rarely turn down an invitation for a good time, so naturally, I channeled my inner Rory Gilmore,…

The other weekend, I was invited to a golf tournament. It was a gorgeous day, and I rarely turn down an invitation for a good time, so naturally, I channeled my inner Rory Gilmore,…

One of the most common questions new friends ask me is: “Do you drive?” When I’m feeling snarky, I refer to my wheelchair and respond: “All the time.” But I know they are actually wondering if…

One of the most common questions new friends ask me is: “Do you drive?” When I’m feeling snarky, I refer to my wheelchair and respond: “All the time.” But I know they are actually wondering if…

“What are we making for dinner today?” my friend asks as we head to my kitchen. I love when she says “we,” because she knows I like to be an active participant in this process.

What comes to mind when you think of Labor Day? For some people, it might mean a cookout, a day trip to the lake, or a last, desperate dip in the swimming pool. For me,…