Living with SMA Type 2: Kevin Schaefer on Independence & Caregivers
On this episode of Become the Victor Podcast, host Victor Guerra (Victortheinspiration) welcomes Kevin Schaefer, a writer, journalist, podcaster, and disability advocate living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2.
Kevin’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and self-advocacy, beginning with his diagnosis in early childhood and growing into a life shaped by storytelling, faith, independence, and purpose. From spending time in hospitals to discovering theater, writing, journalism, and podcasting, Kevin talks about how his experiences with SMA did not limit his identity, but helped shape the powerful voice he uses today to educate, inspire, and connect with others within the disability community.
Throughout the conversation, Kevin opens up about the emotional realities of living with a progressive disability, including the challenges of accessibility, caregiving, independence, and mental health. He shares how hiring outside caregivers became a major turning point in his life, giving him more freedom, responsibility, and confidence as he navigated college and adulthood. Kevin also reflects on a difficult emotional breaking point that pushed him to seek counseling, open up more honestly, and stop bottling in the weight of what he was carrying.
This episode also into faith, family, disability representation, and what it means to be seen as a whole person beyond a diagnosis. Kevin speaks honestly about church, harmful assumptions around disability, and the importance of creating spaces where disabled people are respected, included, and valued. Through humor, vulnerability, and wisdom, his journey reminds listeners that disability is not the tragedy — lack of accessibility and understanding often is.
Watch Full Episode on YouTube:
Listen on Apple Podcasts:
Listen on Amazon Music:
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/16zenC2gEKGg2tUE7mP65J?si=-35zOOuyRNWcPuz6M_VNNg
Listen on iHeartRadio:
Listen to This Interview Turned into an AI Song:
Watch Clips from Full Episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB-KQYMF31Bg
About Become the Victor Podcast:
https://victortheinspiration.com/blogs/become-the-victor-podcast/about-become-the-victor-podcast
Connect with Kevin Schaefer:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kevinschaefer19/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@SMANewsToday
Website:
https://smanewstoday.com/