- G
- H
Our sweet baby girl was diagnosed with SMA - spinal muscular atrophy at around 11 months. She is a joy to be around and we are lucky to have her in our lives. She shows us everyday that she is a fighter and wants to get stronger and we need help. We need special equipment to help her be mobile and get stronger. Gia needs constant therapy- physical theraphy, occupational therapy, water therapy and speech therapy- and we will need to make our home wheelchair accessible and we will need a wheelchair accessible car and much more.
Hi, my name is Gia Joy. I came into this world a year ago and have had such an amazing year! I chose the perfect family to support me on my journey. I threw my parents for a loop when they learned I was different but I knew they could handle it! I am perfect, my body just works a little different than most people's. The docs have defined my body as having SMA, spinal muscular atrophy. I define my body as perfect! I am normal, my normal is just different than your normal. My parents are learning how my body works so they can help make my environment more comfortable for me but I know that everything is going to be fine and I am so excited for the life I am going to live! Life is awesome! My life is perfect and I am truly happy. I am excited being here just the way I am because I get to teach the world how being different is amazing and that I can do anything, we all can! Because after all, aren't we all different? And we are all perfect! I know how awesome I am, do you know how awesome you are?
About SMA -
SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.
SMA is caused by a mutation in the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1). In a healthy person, this gene produces a protein that is critical to the function of the nerves that control our muscles. Without it, those nerve cells cannot properly function and eventually die, leading to debilitating and often fatal muscle weakness.
SMA affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies, and about 1 in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier. SMA can affect any race or gender.
There are four primary types of SMA—I, II, III, and IV—based on age of onset and highest physical milestone achieved.
Individuals with SMA have difficulty performing the basic functions of life, like breathing and swallowing. However, SMA does not affect a person’s ability to think, learn, and build relationships with others.
Though there is currently no approved treatment for SMA, there’s great reason for hope. We know what causes SMA and what we need to do to develop effective therapies, and we’re on the verge of major breakthroughs that will strengthen our children’s bodies, extend life, and eventually lead to a cure.
We thank you for taking the time to read our campaign and for your donation. We truly apprecaite the support we are recieving and Gia will forever be greatful. As parents we want to be able to help her the best we can and so we are asking for financial help from friends and family. Please contact me - [email redacted] - if you would like to know exaclty how your funds will be used. Thank you!!
Hi, my name is Gia Joy. I came into this world a year ago and have had such an amazing year! I chose the perfect family to support me on my journey. I threw my parents for a loop when they learned I was different but I knew they could handle it! I am perfect, my body just works a little different than most people's. The docs have defined my body as having SMA, spinal muscular atrophy. I define my body as perfect! I am normal, my normal is just different than your normal. My parents are learning how my body works so they can help make my environment more comfortable for me but I know that everything is going to be fine and I am so excited for the life I am going to live! Life is awesome! My life is perfect and I am truly happy. I am excited being here just the way I am because I get to teach the world how being different is amazing and that I can do anything, we all can! Because after all, aren't we all different? And we are all perfect! I know how awesome I am, do you know how awesome you are?
About SMA -
SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) is a disease that robs people of physical strength by affecting the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, taking away the ability to walk, eat, or breathe. It is the number one genetic cause of death for infants.
SMA is caused by a mutation in the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1). In a healthy person, this gene produces a protein that is critical to the function of the nerves that control our muscles. Without it, those nerve cells cannot properly function and eventually die, leading to debilitating and often fatal muscle weakness.
SMA affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies, and about 1 in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier. SMA can affect any race or gender.
There are four primary types of SMA—I, II, III, and IV—based on age of onset and highest physical milestone achieved.
Individuals with SMA have difficulty performing the basic functions of life, like breathing and swallowing. However, SMA does not affect a person’s ability to think, learn, and build relationships with others.
Though there is currently no approved treatment for SMA, there’s great reason for hope. We know what causes SMA and what we need to do to develop effective therapies, and we’re on the verge of major breakthroughs that will strengthen our children’s bodies, extend life, and eventually lead to a cure.
We thank you for taking the time to read our campaign and for your donation. We truly apprecaite the support we are recieving and Gia will forever be greatful. As parents we want to be able to help her the best we can and so we are asking for financial help from friends and family. Please contact me - [email redacted] - if you would like to know exaclty how your funds will be used. Thank you!!