This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Support for Adults and Seniors

nate vigil's profile picture
nate vigil, Neighbor

“If I were to share any words of advice, it would be to let your own experience, rather than a medical label, determine what your life’s limitations and potentials are going to be. Build on your personal strengths, determination and faith — or encourage your child to do so.” Jerry Ferro – Person living with SMA  http://mda.org/disease/spinal-muscular-atrophy/living-with

The quote above captures the amazing courage, strength and persistence that is so common among children, teens and adults who live with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and the family and professional caregivers who support them.  To celebrate National Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month, I decided to review recent research, social media posts, and advocacy sites to better understand core drivers for quality of life and positive outcomes for people living with SMA and their family caregivers.

About Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

About SMA

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) refers to a group of genetic conditions that cause muscle weakness and atrophy in children and adults. “Atrophy” means that the mass and size of muscles is reduced.  This can also be described as muscle “wasting.” Motor nerves in the spinal cord control the muscles that are used for breathing, crawling, walking, head and neck control, and swallowing. With SMA, damaged motor nerves cause muscles to weaken and atrophy.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

SMA Symptoms

SMA Type I - Also called Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease
Symptoms begin: within months of birth
Symptoms – A child struggles to:

  • move
  • sit without support
  • breathe
  • eat and swallow

SMA Type II – Also called Juvenile, Intermediate or Chronic SMA
Symptoms begin: between 6 and 18 months after birth.
Symptoms - A child can usually sit without support and may be able to stand or walk with help. A child struggles to:

  • crawl or walk on their own
  • breathe on their own

SMA Type III - Also called Wolhlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease or mild SMA
Symptoms begin: after 18 months of age or as late as adolescence.  Symptoms often progress into adulthood.
Symptoms - Children can stand alone and walk, but may struggle with:

  • getting up from a sitting position
  • tremor in fingers
  • respiratory infections

Children with SMA Type III usually remain mobile well into adulthood.

 It is important to note that SMA does not affect intelligence.  People with SMA are very much aware of their condition and how it is impacting their lives and the lives of others.

Treating SMA

In 2007, the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Standard of Care Committee developed the first consensus guideline for SMA diagnosis and treatment.  SMA Advocates for families have developed a Family Guide to help clients and families to understand and advocate for best practice treatment. To learn more, click here: http://mda.org/publications/spinal-muscular-atrophy-care-guidelines

SMA clinical trials can also be found at: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=spinal+muscular+atrophy&Search=Search

A Strong Desire for Independence

The inspiring opening quote from Jerry Ferro captures a core insight that has surfaced throughout my research  -  people living with SMA and their parents / family caregivers have an unrelenting desire to move forward, remain independent, enjoy life / school / work / hobbies and reach their full potential.

A common concern for people with SMA and their families is how to balance the desire to stay active / mobile with concerns about falls and injury.  Some adolescents and adults also express fear that they will not be able to get up after falling. These are real concerns that need to be discussed.

The good news is that there are many innovative tools and resources that can help people with SMA to adjust to symptoms and fight back. One innovative approach is aquatic therapy, which has been shown to improve outcomes while reducing fall risk and anxiety. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3260050/pdf/nihms346277.pdf

SMA “Move Forward” Action Plan and Toolkit

SMA researchers and advocacy leaders stress the importance of planning for today and the future.  The following “Move Forward” Action Plan and Toolkit can help.  Share this Action Plan with your care team and ask if there are other things you can do to fight SMA.

  • Surround yourself with an expert SMA care team. Your team should include a:
    • Primary Care Provider
    • Neurologist
    • Nurse/Nurse practitioner
    • Social worker
    • Pulmonologist
    • Intensivist (An intensive care doctor)
    • Orthopedist
    • Genetic counselor
    • Physical therapist
    • Occupational therapist
    • Speech therapist
    • Nutritionist
  • Develop your Action Plan.  Effective treatment approaches can include:

    • Tools and Resources for Healthcare Providers

    We also want to recognize healthcare providers who provide expert care and support for those living with SMA.  See the links below for innovative professional SMA tools and resources.  FightSMA offers a tremendous directory of additional tools and resources for people living with SMA, family caregivers and healthcare providers- http://www.fightsma.org/sma-guidebook/spinal-muscular-atrophy-resources-publications. Links to other tools are listed below.

    Get Involved!

    It is common to feel helpless when living with a chronic condition like SMA.  Advocacy organizations offer a great opportunity to fight back through research, donations, volunteerism, special events, and public policy.  The following organizations fight every day for people living with SMA.  Get involved!

    Fight SMA
    1321 Duke Street
    Suite 304
    Alexandria, VA 22134
    web@fightsma.org
    http://www.fightsma.org
    Tel: 703-299-1144

    Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
    925 Busse Road
    Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
    info@fsma.org
    http://www.curesma.org
    Tel: 800-886-1762
    Fax: 847-367-7623

    Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation
    888 Seventh Avenue
    Suite 400
    New York, NY 10019
    info@smafoundation.org
    http://www.smafoundation.org
    Tel: 877-FUND-SMA (877-386-3762) 646-253-7100
    Fax: 212-247-3079

    Muscular Dystrophy Association
    3300 East Sunrise Drive
    Tucson, AZ 85718-3208
    mda@mdausa.org
    http://www.mda.org
    Tel: 520-529-2000 800-572-1717
    Fax: 520-529-5300

    We hope that this blog validates the many challenges faced by people living with SMA.  We also hope that the tools and resources shared here play some role in improving quality of life for all who fight SMA every day.

    At Griswold Home Care we celebrate, educate and advocate for the senior community. If you have questions about adults with disabilities or senior related topics you can reach us at 941.219.3139 or visit us online at: http://www.griswoldhomecare.com/sarasota-manatee-counties/



    We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

    More from Sarasota