Who is Affected by SMA?
SMA damages the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movement, which can lead to progressive muscle weakness, mobility challenges, breathing difficulties, swallowing concerns, and daily independence needs. One of the most important parts of SMA awareness is understanding that this condition is not limited to one background, community, or type of person. SMA can affect any race or gender, while also estimating that it affects approximately 1 in 15,000 births in the United States.
SMA is most often inherited through family DNA in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a child typically must inherit two non-working copies of the SMN1 gene, one from each parent, to have the condition. Parents who carry one non-working copy usually do not show signs or symptoms, which means families may not know they are SMA carriers until carrier screening, newborn screening, or genetic testing is done. SMA is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern and that parents of an affected individual typically carry one mutated copy without showing symptoms. Research shows that about 1 in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier for SMA, showing why carrier awareness matters even for families with no known history of the disease.
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Personal Instagram:
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The SMA Victor Instagram:
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The SMA Victor Podcast Episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR7rASeJHidduTFEcqLSA0Ic
The SMA Victor Q&A:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR7YFKqOYqs8lCeih48RO-5B
Learn More About SMA:
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The SMA Victor FAQs:
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The SMA Victor Music:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR50uUMYbVhYsdncM-Bf1mO1
Victor's Life with SMA:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXeepRh23LFqpR6iOdsaVjgYaeRX5u_eP&si=fYKi0SN0JL1KVtcf
My book, Become the Victor: Turning Trials into Triumph, tells my personal journey and offers guidance for anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or unsure how to move forward. It is a reminder that “your greatest tests will become your greatest testimony.” It is available online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play Books.
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