The Spinal Muscular Atrophy Podcast with Kevin Schaefer

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about the fatigue he experiences prior to a Spinraza injection. DeAnn’s latest vlog has been posted where she shows what’s included in the Cure SMA COVID-19 care package. Both Katie Napiwocki and Alyssa Silva have columns being discussed in the forums and the latest roundtable talking about Spinraza during the coronavirus is available for listening. Are you int...

In episode 58, the SMA News Today team talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting their Spinraza appointments and other medical procedures. Hosts Kevin Schaefer and Michael Morale, and forum moderators DeAnn Runge and Alyssa Silva, each share their personal experiences regarding this subject. They also discuss how telemedicine could potentially become the new normal for rare disease patien...

Forums moderator DeAnn Runge shares how she’s navigating the current world situation and how resuming operations in the next phase poses new challenges and concerns. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses how lung ultrasound is a reliable option to chest X-rays for monitoring children. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visi...

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer reads from Brianna Albers’ latest column “How Do We Maintain Post-traumatic Growth?” SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses how a study suggests the interplay of motor neurons and Glial cells is at the root of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoda...

In the forums Michael Morale’s latest video, which points out the differences between risdiplam and SRK-015 as potential SMA treatments, has been a topic of conversation. Brianna Albers' series on dealing with anxiety that comes along with the coronavirus has been a popular topic as well as discussions about what “able-bodied” people take for granted, liquid albuterol and disabled authors. Forums...

How Risdiplam Defies SMA “Natural History” in Type 1 Infants, According to FIREFISH Study Data by SMA News Today

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about an anthology of essays from the New York Times series on disability. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses how growth-friendly spinal implants may help SMA children before fusion surgery. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoday.com/

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about how SMA-related humor presents itself in unexpected moments. And also, this week the topics included on the forums range from discussing fundraising options in the current environment, using online therapy platforms such as Talkspace and even a book discussion. To learn more about spinal muscular atrophy, visit www.smanewstoday.com .

In episode 57, host Kevin Schaefer interviews Heather Kerstetter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Heather is a social worker who has SMA Type 3. She talks about growing up with SMA, relationships, and her advocacy work for people with disabilities. To learn more about spinal muscular atrophy, visit www.smanewstoday.com .

Forums moderator DeAnn Runge discusses how looking at what makes her life easier now determines what would make her life easier moving forward. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses how taking part in adapted sports improves mental health in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and other neuromuscular disorders. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscula...

SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses the lack of muscle cell signaling which is seen to kill motor neurons in SMA-LED2. SMA News Today’s Senior Director of Multichannel Content, Michael Morale, talks about how he’s had to trust others to help him during the COVID-19 pandemic. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https:...

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer reads from his latest column about a new at-home exercise routine he’s developed, using his electric ceiling lift. Also, on our forums over the last week we’ve covered many topics including telemedicine, therapy platforms, alternative exercise routines along with advance directives and hospital preparedness folders. Are you interested in learning more about spinal mu...

While thinking about how to navigate the Coronavirus situation, forums moderator DeAnn Runge draws parallels to a family game they played. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses motor gains and safety with Zolgensma’s IT use in a STRONG trial. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoday.com/

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer writes about a new at-home exercise routine he’s developed, using his electric ceiling lift. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses the first patient treated in the Phase 2/3 trial, assessing higher doses of Spinraza. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoday.com/

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about how the pop-culture icon Kevin Smith impacted his life, both as a writer and as a person with a disability. Also, there have been some recent discussions on the forums about keeping busy by playing phone games and using a Nintendo Switch. Creating at home exercise routines and using robotic assistance devices have also been topics of conversation. Are you...

In episode 56, hosts Kevin Schaefer and Michael Morale provide an overview of the different SMA treatments, and discuss recent news about the experimental therapy risdiplam. Then in part two, special guest Ralph Yaniz joins Kevin and Michael to discuss the new Netflix documentary “Crip Camp.” Ralph is a columnist for Muscular Dystrophy News Today, and a disability rights activist. Listen to their...

To increase her independence, forums moderator DeAnn Runge is debating if she should pursue a service dog, a JACO Robotic Arm or both. Each option presents with pros and cons. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses how adult patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy benefit from Spinraza treatments. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, p...

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about ideas for staying fit and healthy during COVID-19 isolation. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses the approval of Zolgensma for treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Japan. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoday.com/

The Easter holiday looked a lot different this year than it traditionally does. Forum members shared their plans for the holiday to make it special. Accessible toys was another topic of conversation. Also don’t forget to check out DeAnn’s latest vlog on having fun with subscription boxes. Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about how his lifelong obsession with action figures contributes to his i...

Forums moderator DeAnn Runge is looking for solutions to help with odd jobs and spring cleaning. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses a French study which finds palliative care for SMA Type 1 babies has improved. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoday.com/

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about the Stephen Hawking biopic “The Theory of Everything,” and how this film explores disability. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses the FDA shifting it’s Risdiplam decision to August to include data on older patients. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewstoday.co...

COVID-19 is still a popular topic of discussion on the forums. Topics associated include continuing with Spinraza treatments, scheduling caregivers, how to handle outside deliveries and more. Also, forums Director Kevin Schaefer reviews the new Netflix documentary “Crip Camp,” which tells the story of the early disability rights movement.

In episode 55, host Kevin Schaefer interviews Victor Guerra from Fresno, California. Victor is an entrepreneur who has SMA Type 2, and he uses his online store to promote messages of positivity and motivation. During this discussion, he talks about growing up with SMA, building his business, and dealing with medical setbacks throughout his life. Victor’s website: www.victortheinspiration.com Victo...

Amid the coronavirus crisis forums moderator DeAnn Runge has to decide if she wants to risk exposure to the virus to continue her Spinraza treatments. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses how scoliosis surgery in SMA children is linked to permanent motor skill loss. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanewst...

Forums Director Kevin Schaefer talks about the new Netflix documentary “Crip Camp,” which tells the story of a summer camp in the 50s and 60s for teens with disabilities. SMA News Today’s multimedia associate, Price Wooldridge, discusses markers of inflammation essential for AAV gene therapy use. Are you interested in learning more about spinal muscular atrophy? If so, please visit https://smanews...