The cloak of disability and the power of perception
“Are we wearing a cloak of disability?” my mom asked as a vehicle pulled out in front of our wheelchair van. At least, that’s what I thought she said. It turns out that she actually said “cloak of…
Author Archives: Halsey Blocher
Here’s what African elephants and living with SMA have in common
Elephants have long been my favorite animal. I even have a collection of items depicting them. I’m captivated by the majestic giants whose eyes seem to convey vast wisdom and an array of relatable emotions like…
The challenges of cheering on others while living with SMA
I’ve been blessed to grow up in a city that’s mindful of accessibility and inclusion, which means there’s an abundance of accessible activities to participate in. Throughout my life, this has provided opportunities for me and my family to be involved in a variety of programs and services, including…
Creating wheelchair art to reflect the beauty of life
In a tourist shop on the coast of Lake Michigan a few summers ago, my mom spotted a sticker depicting the town’s lighthouse in the style of my favorite painting, Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.” She suggested that it’d look cool on my power wheelchair,…
Leaning on support networks doesn’t negate our independence
There’s a trend taking root in the SMA and disability communities that has me worried. It’s the idea that to gain independence as disabled adults, we must separate ourselves from our support networks and find ways to manage our lives and healthcare on our own. Society…
Advice from a mentor to many who are living with SMA
If you haven’t met this celebrity of the SMA community, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Angela Wrigglesworth-Titcombe. She’s 46 years old, has SMA, and is a fifth-grade teacher. She and her husband of six years, Justin, love to travel and…
My grandparents saw different aspects of healthcare at my clinic
Mom and I always bring another person or two to my specialist appointments at the SMA clinic. It’s out of state — about three hours from our home — so it’s easier when we have extra helpers throughout the long journey. It’s also nice to have…
A sea turtle rescue center reminds us to help others thrive
One of my favorite discoveries during my family’s recent vacation on St. Simons Island was the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on neighboring Jekyll Island. The center rehabilitates sea turtles and local wildlife in need of medical care so they can be released back into their…
Why vacation home rentals work well for accessible travel needs
Maybe you’ve noticed from my past columns that my family enjoys traveling. We’ve been blessed to visit a variety of destinations together, but we’re repeatedly drawn to locations with scenic coastlines and warm climates. My mom books all of our family trips. With a lifetime…
In the rare disease community, more than diagnoses connect us
(Note: This column contains spoilers for the movie “Five Feet Apart.”) The 2019 movie “Five Feet Apart” focuses on a young couple, Stella and Will, who fall in love while receiving treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF). Their love is dangerous, though, because coming within 6…