SMAshing My Limits…
And Going Places
Celebrate every accomplishment — no matter how
big or small — with our community and push beyond
the limits of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to new
places and possibilities every day.
Going Places Through Accessible Travel
Travel can lead to new experiences, unforgettable moments, and greater independence. That’s why SMAshing My Limits is working to make travel feel within reach by collaborating with Becoming rentABLE, an online platform that verifies the accessibility level of short-term rental (STR) properties and brings them together in an easy-to-use resource.
We’re also sharing real stories, practical resources, and supportive insights that can help the community experience more places, and more possibilities, so they can continue to SMAsh their limits.
SMAshing My Limits aims to show people living with SMA that traveling with confidence isn’t just possible — it’s worth pursuing.
Life With SMA
Individuals of all ages are affected by SMA, and each day brings with it new challenges. While no two people are the same, many living with SMA or caring for someone with this disease share similar challenges, including:
Physical limitations
Logistical barriers
Emotional health
Every moment spent overcoming these challenges — and more — are moments worth celebrating
“You’ve already won because you’re here today. That’s what I tell myself whenever I lose confidence or feel like I’m falling behind. Just reaching this age with SMA took countless miracles — so every second I’m alive is a privilege. When you’re feeling down or tired of pushing for a better life, remember: you already won.”
— Januel G., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 2
Explore New Places. Rethink What’s Possible.
After Cory traveled to the Bahamas in high school, he knew he wanted to see the world. Watch how he’s SMAshing limits and going places as an SMA advocate and travel enthusiast, empowering others to embrace accessible travel, new experiences, and more possibilities.
Well, there's stairs. I guess I'll go back the way I came.
You know what gets me? When places say they're accessible, but they're actually not. And that's why I teamed up with Novartis for SMAshing My Limits.
Hi, I’m Cory, and I’m SMAshing My Limits by traveling the world with SMA.
I got tired of showing up to accessible places that weren’t actually accessible.
When accessibility is truly implemented, I’m able to actually enjoy the destination – and the accommodations – instead of worrying about those little things and about the inaccessibilities.
That is why I keep using Becoming rentABLE to book accommodations.
Wow! Wow!
Knowing that there are now more accessible short-term rentals means so much to me. And it's really incredible just to see how much more inclusive the world is becoming toward accessible travel.
I can’t believe both beds are adjustable. That is amazing.
This is nice!
So I really want the SMA community – and people without SMA – to know that we are capable of traveling and living these incredible lives.
If we stay optimistic and positive about the future, then there are no limits to what we can do.
“After taking my first international trip in high school, I knew I wanted to travel as much as possible. I started my travel blog because I believed the more resources there were for people with SMA, the more they’d be able to travel. Now I lead accessible travel groups once a year to places all over the world!”
— Cory L., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 2
Everyday Moments. Everyday Confident.
Charlie is heading off to college, gaining independence, and chasing his dreams. See how he’s calling his shots and SMAshing limits.
I remember my mom picking me up from preschool, and I was crying because I couldn't run in the grass with the other kids, and that was just kind of the start of my discovery.
SMA always made me feel a little bit separated from other people. It was mainly in school. PE was always difficult for me.
It was hard to do the things I wanted to do, sports and all the other things that, you know, like a little boy is going love to do, right?
I've always had good friends, you know, my family's always been super great about accommodating me and not letting SMA get in the way of my life.
There were a few years of my early childhood where I wasn't athletic, all I did was kind of stay inside all day.
My mom saw that and made it her mission to research adaptive sports.
When I first got in that chair, it really did feel like I was free and I was independent in a way I've never felt before. It brings out the best version of myself in every way.
I'm the guy who wants the ball, you know, if time's running out. I am kind of known for hitting clutch shots.
I'm by far the happiest when I'm playing basketball, and so I'm hoping that this leads into me being able to play in college.
For choosing a college, the most important thing is that it has experience dealing with someone that has SMA.
There are some colleges that have a lot of hills in them, so having a college that’s easy to navigate is another really important thing.
I want to study business. I want to start my own enterprise.
I'm very excited to be independent, being my own person and doing things myself.
Like, I’m just a guy who, you know, was born with a different genetic makeup than anyone else.
Sometimes my legs get tired and I have to play a different version of basketball than everyone else. But like, I never make it personal. I never make it about me.
SMA is just one part of Charlie.
“I definitely have challenges that not a lot of other people experience. But, I try to stay positive. I love basketball. I found a way to do it in wheelchair basketball, which allowed me to be athletic and competitive.”
— Charlie Z., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 3
Navigating Your SMA Journey
Explore resources to help you throughout your SMA journey, including tips on how to handle conversations about your condition, plan travel with confidence, and access support so you can SMAsh limits.
Downloadable Tools for SMAshing Your Limits
Having the right resources and tools to talk about SMA, connect with others, and advocate for yourself can help you plan for your next big adventure — whether that’s going to college or somewhere new.
Our downloadable resources can help you share your experience and give you tips for managing obstacles.
Accessible Travel Planning
Travel Questions Pocket Resource
Making the Move to Adulthood
How to Explain SMA to Others
Prompts to SMAsh Your Limits
“My journey with SMA helped me find my passion for filmmaking. Being in a wheelchair doesn’t stop me from chasing big dreams or telling powerful stories. Every day, I push past what society expects, challenge stereotypes, and prove that I can tell powerful stories, and inspire change – if not more.”
– Siara M., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 3
Managing Your SMA: Symptom Management
Learning how to manage your symptoms — now and as they evolve — can help empower people living with SMA to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.
Content is not intended to serve as medical advice or to substitute for professional medical consultation.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help improve posture, keep joints limber, and slow the progression of muscle weakness.1
Occupational Therapy
Working with an occupational therapist can improve the ability to perform daily tasks.1
Assistive Devices
Tools like orthopedic braces, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs can help with mobility.1 Learn more from Cure SMA about helpful equipment.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy can potentially improve difficulties with speaking and swallowing.1
Nutrition
Maintaining proper nutrition is important for people living with SMA. Talk to your doctor about a nutrition plan that works best for you to potentially help with improved growth and more. Learn more from MDA about managing nutrition.
Additional Medical Interventions
Using a feeding tube can keep you healthy if swallowing is too difficult or dangerous, and ventilation devices can provide support for breathing issues.1
Disease-Modifying Therapy Management Approaches
SMA is caused by SMN1 mutations, causing progressive motor neuron loss.2 The SMN1 gene is responsible for producing the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is needed to sustain muscle function.
In most cases, the earlier individuals with SMA receive treatment, the more likely they may see benefits and outcomes.
This approach replaces the missing or faulty SMN1 gene with a functional gene to produce the SMN protein.1
This approach modifies the splicing of the SMN2 gene to increase the production of SMN protein.1
Learn How to Manage Your Journey
Building a treatment goal that works for you or the individual with SMA you care for is an important part of breaking barriers. Explore additional resources that can give you the information you need to chart your own course with SMA or to help someone you care for navigate their SMA journey.
Content is not intended to serve as medical advice or to substitute for professional medical consultation.
Community Support
Keep SMAshing your limits with these helpful resources, which are designed to support individuals living with SMA and their support systems.
Becoming rentABLE
Becoming rentABLE is advocating for better accommodations in the travel industry and helping people living with SMA find short-term rentals that meet their accessibility needs.
Cure SMA
Cure SMA is dedicated to driving research for treatments and a cure for SMA, and to supporting and empowering everyone impacted by SMA today.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA provides educational resources and support for patients living with SMA, their caregivers and their communities.
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References: 1. Cleveland Clinic. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Accessed May 22, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14505-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma#management-and-treatment 2. Younger D, Mendell J. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Chapter 2 – Childhood Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Science Direct. Published August 22, 2023. Accessed May 22, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-98817-9.00030-2