Touched by SMA

The McDonald Family

February 19, 2010 by Matt Watson

We had three beautiful, healthy children. We were kind of the family that everybody looked at you and goes, ‘Ah, you’re children are just all wonderful and beautiful, and you got such a great family.’ And then Reese gets diagnosed with this, and you think … your initial though, you think, OK, there goes my perfect family. But in all actuality, it still is a perfect family, because that’s the way God intended it to be. Reese is just an absolute joy to be around, and he just lights up the room when he comes into it. – Matt McDonald

McDonald Family Read More

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Faces of SMA

  • Ava aims a happy smile off into the distance.

    Ava

    SMA type 2, Virginia
  • Blake and Matt, in their power chairs, enjoy the open deck of the cruise ship off the coast of Calica, Mexico.

    Blake and Matt

    SMA Type 2, Mississippi, diagnosed 1986/1989
  • One cannot help but be drawn into Bradley's magnetic gaze.

    Bradley

    SMA type 1, Georgia
  • A beautiful pink flower compliments Courtney's beautiful red hair.

    Courtney

    SMA type 1, Texas, diagnosed Aug. 2003
  • Daniel relies on advanced medical equipment to breathe.

    Daniel

    SMA type 1, Vermont, diagnosed Feb. 14, 2007
  • Evie looks up from her small wheelchair at a large inflatable Santa Claus.

    Evie

    SMA type 2, Mississippi, diagnosed June 2008
  • Young Garrison doesn't know what to make of the camera!

    Garrison

    SMA type 1, South Carolina , diagnosed Sep. 16, 2008
  • A young Gwendolyn gazes into the camera with innocent curiosity.

    Gwendolyn

    SMA type 1, California, diagnosed 4/2008
  • A smiling Kate Pecora

    Kate Pecora

    SMA type 3, Massachusetts
  • A BiPap and feeding tube are essential to life for type 1 babies like Kayden.

    Kayden

    SMA type 1, Ohio, diagnosed Mar. 11, 2009
  • Logan smiles and emits a playful spirit, despite his inability to move around.

    Logan

    SMA type 1, Alabama, diagnosed Mar. 27, 2007
  • Everyone's favorite princess—even Miley Cirus agrees!

    Madison (with Miley Cirus)

    SMA type 1, Ohio
  • Two sisters journey through life with the same disease, but also with the same spirit.

    Makayla & Mariah

    SMA type 2, Washington, Aug. 2008
  • Mary smiles despite her SMA trying to stop it.

    Mary

    SMA type 1, New York, diagnosed Sep. 25, 2007
  • Innocent smile or mischievous smile? You be the judge!

    Michael

    SMA type 2, Alabama, diagnosed Mar. 1999
  • Kids with type 2 can sometimes stand when they are very young, like Nathan here.

    Nathan

    SMA type 2, California
  • Baby Nora grasps her feeding tube as if it were a toy.

    Nora

    SMA type 1, Tennessee, diagnosed July 16, 2009
  • Reese has a smile that can melt anything.

    Reese

    SMA type 2, Mississippi, diagnosed Aug. 2009
  • Taysen's wheelchair doesn't stop him from enjoying a little mini golf.

    Taysen

    SMA type 2, Washington, diagnosed Aug. 2006
  • A playful Trevor sports his bunny ears.

    Trevor

    SMA type 1, Minnesota

What next?

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33