White Shield

Privacy Policy Update

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has updated the Privacy Policy for this website to explain how your information helps us personalize your online experiences. Click here to read it.

Advertising Cookies: We would like to set third-party advertising cookies on your browser for this health-related website to help us serve relevant health-related advertisements to you about our products or services when you visit other websites. For more information visit our Privacy Policy. Do you want to set these advertising cookies on this browser?

Stay Connected
This site is for US residents only.
SMA Patient Advocate on a basketball court in a wheelchair


SMAshing My Limits


Celebrate every accomplishment — no matter how big or small — with our community and push beyond the limits of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) every day.

 
Charlie Z., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 3

Life With SMA

Individuals of all ages are affected by SMA, and each day brings with it new challenges. While no two people are the same, many living with SMA or caring for someone with this disease share similar challenges, including:

Person using walker on a red and blue background, representing physical limitations

Physical limitations

Wheelchair symbol on a red and blue background, representing logistical barriers

Logistical barriers

Person with a cloud overhead on a red and blue background, representing emotional health

Emotional health

Every moment spent overcoming these challenges — and more — are moments worth celebrating

SMAshing limits medals collection - four medals sitting on desk

Whether it’s meeting a major milestone, making a new memory, or overcoming one of your previous limitations, your accomplishments can inspire others. 

 

It’s time to celebrate how you SMAsh your limits!

Blue cloud background
SMA Patient Advocate sitting in a powered wheelchair

“My journey with SMA helped me find my passion for filmmaking. Being in a wheelchair doesn’t stop me from chasing big dreams or telling powerful stories. Every day, I push past what society expects, challenge stereotypes, and prove that I can tell powerful stories, and inspire change – if not more.”

– Siara M., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 3
 

SMA Patient Advocate in wheelchair wearing a racing bib and celebrating with a thumbs up

“You’ve already won because you’re here today. That’s what I tell myself whenever I lose confidence or feel like I’m falling behind. Just reaching this age with SMA took countless miracles—so every second I’m alive is a privilege. When you’re feeling down or tired of pushing for a better life, remember: you already won.”

— Januel G., SMA Patient Advocate, SMA Type 2
 

Blue cloud background

Navigating Your SMA Journey

Explore resources to help you throughout your SMA journey, including tips on how to handle difficult conversations, management options, and access support so you can SMAsh limits. 

 

Downloadable Tools for SMAshing Your Limits

Explaining SMA to others and advocating for yourself can be tough. Our downloadable resources can help you share your experience and give you tips for managing day-to-day obstacles.

Person working on a laptop

Making the Move to Adulthood

Download Resource
Person putting on medical walking boot

How to Explain SMA to Others

Download Resource
Person driving a car

Prompts to SMAsh Your Limits

Download Resource

Managing Your SMA

Learning how to get support for symptoms ↗ - now and as they evolve - can help empower people living with SMA to overcome obstacles and reach their goals. 

Content is not intended to serve as medical advice or to substitute for professional medical consultation. 

Two people working on leg stretches together on a blue and red background, representing physical therapy

Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can help improve posture, keep joints limber, and slow the progression of muscle weakness.1

Person kneeling in front of person in wheel chair on a blue and red background, representing occupational therapy

Occupational Therapy
Working with an occupational therapist can improve the ability to perform daily tasks.1

Powered wheelchair on blue and red background, representing assistive devices

Assistive Devices
Tools like orthopedic braces, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs can help with mobility.1 Learn more ↗ from Cure SMA about helpful equipment.

Head with soundwaves near mouth on a blue and red background, representing speech therapy

Speech Therapy
Speech therapy can potentially improve difficulties with speaking and swallowing.1

Clipboard with a checklist and apple on a red and blue background, representing nutrition

Nutrition
Maintaining proper nutrition is important for people living with SMA. Talk to your doctor about a nutrition plan that works best for you to potentially help with improved growth and more. Learn more ↗ from MDA about managing nutrition. 

Medical clipboard on blue and red background, representing additional medical interventions

Additional Medical Interventions
Using a feeding tube can help provide nutrients if swallowing is too difficult or dangerous, and ventilation devices can provide support for breathing issues.1

Disease-Modifying Therapy Management Approaches

SMA is caused by SMN1 mutations, causing progressive motor neuron loss.2 The SMN1 gene is responsible for producing the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is needed to sustain muscle function.

In most cases, the earlier individuals with SMA receive treatment, the more likely they may see benefits and outcomes.

Learn How to Manage Your Journey

Building a treatment goal that works for you or the individual with SMA you care for is an important part of breaking barriers. Explore additional resources that can give you the information you need to chart your own course with SMA or to help someone you care for navigate their SMA journey.

Content is not intended to serve as medical advice or to substitute for professional medical consultation.

SMA Treatment OverviewMedical Management Info

Community Support

Keep SMAshing your limits with these helpful resources, which are designed to support individuals living with SMA and their support systems.

Cure SMA logo

Cure SMA

Cure SMA is dedicated to driving research for treatments and a cure for SMA, and to supporting and empowering everyone impacted by SMA today.

Learn more
MDA Logo

Muscular Dystrophy Association

MDA provides educational resources and support for people living with SMA, their caregivers, and their communities.

Learn more

Sign Up to Receive Information About SMAshing My Limits

You'll get inspiring stories of how others are navigating their SMA journey, as well as helpful resources that can support you.

I am: *

By clicking SUBMIT, you agree that you are 18 years or older and agree to the Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NPC) Terms of Use. You understand and agree that the information you provide will be used in accordance with the NPC Privacy Policy, including to provide you with marketing information, offers, and promotions, and to contact you for your opinions regarding products, programs, and services. NPC may also show you relevant health-related advertisements when you visit other websites. To learn about our interest-based ads, click here. You understand that unless you unsubscribe, by calling 1-888-669-6682 or clicking unsubscribe in a promotional email, your consent will remain valid. 

Thank you for signing up.

Thank you for registering to receive information about SMAshing My Limits. Your email will be on its way soon.

References: 1. Cleveland Clinic. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Accessed March 25, 2025.  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14505-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma#management-and-treatment ↗ 2. Younger D, Mendell J. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Chapter 2 – Childhood Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Science Direct. Published August 22, 2023. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780323988179000302 ↗
Stylized red or pink cloud background