Columns

If you’ve never shivered at the sound of someone coughing, chances are you’ve never experienced the weight of a respiratory infection. For someone living with SMA, that’s not usually the case. Getting these infections can be dangerous and life-threatening for us, even if they’re simply common colds.

So much of who we are is influenced by our family members. I’m not saying that we have to be exactly like them, and we certainly should do whatever we can to not copy bad behavior. Yet the honorable qualities we see in those close to us have a…

I don’t know what it is about the end of daylight saving time that rustles my brain when the sun goes down. Maybe it’s because we think of secretive things emerging at night, and now it gets dark at 5:30. As time backed up this month,…

In the 1989 comedy film “See No Evil, Hear No Evil,” the protagonists redefine the phrase “unlikely heroes.” Wally (Richard Pryor) is blind, Dave (Gene Wilder) is deaf, and both are professionals at getting into trouble. When they find themselves at a murder scene and get framed…

Some people live for cold weather. They hate the heat, for some strange, inexplicable reason, and live for the day when they can pull out their chunky knit sweaters and thick, fuzzy socks. I am not one of those people. Aesthetically, I love the colder months. I love candles…

Throughout my life, the doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who have cared for me have filled out a collective mountain of paperwork. I’m willing to bet that far more of my days have been documented than not. Most charting is electronic now, but there are certainly boxes full…

Contrary to what others may perceive, living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) doesn’t come with an instruction manual. Trust me, though, there are many days I wish it did. A common question I’ve been asked throughout my lifetime is how I manage the daily nuances of my…

One thing I’ve learned from not going through Singapore’s formal education system is this: When it’s time to be a working adult, to earn your keep, it’s incredibly hard to persuade someone to hire you if you have a blank résumé. Everyone has to start somewhere to gain…

“Please don’t feel sorry for me when I don’t feel sorry for myself.” These are the words I wish I could tattoo across my forehead anytime I’m out in public. OK, maybe that would be a little over the top. Perhaps I’d settle for a sign hanging from my…

Note: Spoilers ahead for the novel and play. My dad and I recently saw a play adaptation of Stephen King’s “Misery,” perfect viewing for the spooky season. Anyone familiar with King’s novel or the iconic 1990 film starring Kathy Bates and James Caan knows the story. When…