A Spinal Muscular Atrophy story

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I was diagnosed at 18 months of age with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (type 3). Raised in small country town in Upstate New York, I spent most of my life dreaming of sunshine. From 1995-1999, I attended Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English literature and a minor in psychology. Shortly after finishing my undergraduate studies, My dream of sunny days came true and when I moved to Austin, Texas. I've lived independently in Austin for sixteen years, managing her own personal care attendants through a Consumer Directed Services program funded by a state program for working Texans with personal care needs called CMPAS.

After serving for two years with the AmeriCorps as a para-professional and school social worker, I returned to college and attended The University of Texas at Austin to obtain my secondary teacher's certification. In 2003, I began a seven-year period as a high school English teacher. I utilized vocational rehabilitation services to meet my transportation goals, and bought my first home and modified vehicle in 2006. In 2010, I began a graduate program in counseling and changed my career focus to the non-profit sector. I worked for a Center for Independent Living for a brief period and was hired at the Texas State Independent Living Council in February 2012. In the fall of 2012, I was promoted to Project Director of the Texas SILC and graduated with a Master of Arts in counseling from Prairie View A&M University. In May of 2013, I was offered a position at Austin Community College to work in Student Accessibility Services as a Specialist and returned to the world of education. I have also recently returned to Prairie View A&M University to pursue a second master's degree through the department of Educational Leadership.

When I'm not working, I devote time to outside projects related to neuromuscular disability advocacy. I co-founded and direct http://www.dearjulianna.com, a letter writing campaign where adults with NMD send letters to children with NMD, with friends involved with the non-profit association I am President of, http://www.nmdunited.org. NMD United is sponsoring the project, and the organization’s mission is to foster meaningful interactions between adults with neuromuscular disabilities, and provide them with informational resources to increase self-direction while promoting independence.

When I'm not working, Emily spends her free time with her two dogs, boyfriend, playing poker, and contemplating a way to conquer the perils behind the legend of pee math.