Author Archives: Sherry Toh

It’s a running joke in my family that, if we had the money, we’d build me a robot caregiver like Baymax from Disney’s “Big Hero 6.” Training human caregivers is nothing short of exhausting. Humans need…

In the true fashion of a passionate actor, Neil Newbon opens a TEDx Talk by imitating an ape — a choice inspired by his role voicing the lead ape in the video game “Planet of the…

Last in a series. Read part one. “How are you feeling today, Sherry?” my director asked. We were about to rehearse for a play we’re working on. I’m still new to performing, and SMA makes…

First in a series. Maybe it (sadly) goes without saying, maybe it doesn’t, but if you Google “spinal muscular atrophy actor,” you won’t find a single SMA patient with a long filmography filled with recognizable projects.

“Time for your whirlwind 20s, babe!” When my best friend and fellow SMA News Today columnist, Brianna Albers, said that a month ago, I couldn’t have imagined how much I would feel her words. She’d said it…

“Time for your whirlwind 20s, babe!” When my best friend and fellow SMA News Today columnist, Brianna Albers, said that a month ago, I couldn’t have imagined how much I would feel her words. She’d said it…

What do my doctors and dates have in common? It’s that I’ve asked most of them this question: “Am I the first person with SMA you’ve met?” Surprisingly, I’ve heard a few doctors tell me no. I may…

I once read that fear is the other side of the coin to excitement, pleasure, or comfort. Without any research into whether the statement is true or false (it’s true), I…