Celebrating Hope: One Patient’s Journey with a Rare, Debilitating Disease

Until December 2016, there were no treatment options available for the nearly 9,000 individuals in the United States living with a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Individuals with SMA often experienced symptoms related to the deteriorating effects of the condition, which may include the gradual onset of muscle weakness that can lead to the inability to stand or walk independently.
With scientific and treatment advances, patients of all ages have now been given hope. While commonly thought of as a pediatric disease, today 65% of individuals living with SMA are adults. One adult living with SMA is 28-year-old Kailey McCallister.
Despite being diagnosed with SMA at an early age, Kailey refused to allow the disease to keep her from having a positive outlook on her life and is eager to share her story. Kailey is joined by Dr. Margaret Frey, a neurologist specializing in SMA at Memorial Healthcare in Michigan, discusses the medical advances and initiatives that have helped the community fight back against this progressive disease
Interview is courtesy: Biogen