Julie and her Family (click for a larger version)

Our latest FightSMA Featured Family is another international one.  We were contacted by Julie Duong, a lovely young woman from Sydney, Australia, who wanted us to share her story:

My name is Julie. I’m 20 years old and I’m from Sydney, Australia. I have SMA type 2 and currently in my third year at university studying Psychology. I love travelling, meeting new people and keeping my life busy as possible.
This picture [to the right] is my family on one of the many trips we go on. I am so thankful for everything they do for me. Even though kids like us may seem a little unappreciative sometimes, we are always so grateful for the support we have. So thank you to all the wonderful parents we have.

Thanks so much to Julie for contacting us. SMA families need to stick together, because there is much strength in numbers.  It’s good to hear the Duongs are so close!

If you’d like to be a FightSMA Featured Family, just click here and sign up!

Our newest FightSMA Featured Family is a family with a story that is unfortunately all too common for those who have been touched by this disease.  We learn about Toronto’s Bahar Jandaghizadeh from her mother, Najmeh:

Bahar (click for a larger version)

Bahar (which means spring in Persian) was born in spring, 2007. She was very healthy and active at the first, but gradually she lost her strength and doctors diagnosed her disease as SMA when she was 8 months exactly on our anniversary day.

She was so smart and kind and patient. She passed away 2 years ago when she was 18 months, while she was dancing and listening to her favorite music and I was driving and I supposed she felt sleep but the sleep was forever.

(click for a larger version)

Last year we immigrated to Canada and we don’t have any child yet. We miss Bahar always.

Thanks so much to Najmeh for contacting us and sharing about Bahar.  She was a precious girl and now the entire SMA world knows her story.

To read about previous FightSMA Featured Families, click here.

If you’d like to be a FightSMA Featured Family, just click here and sign up!

The Peppers Family (click for a larger version)

Please welcome our newest FightSMA Featured Family.  This time we’re highlighting the Peppers family from Cleveland, Ohio.  Michele Peppers wrote in to us about their son, Maxwell:

Maxwell is the love of our life. He is 2 years old. Maxwell is the fourth child to be diagnosed with some form of SMA in his mommy’s family. He has a cousin who is 19 living with SMA type II. Maxwell was diagnosed with type II SMA in July of 2011.

Maxwell Peppers

We are still transitioning with our new life. Maxwell is in the process of attaining power and manual mobility. He loves Toy Story and Cars movies. Maxwell is a little social butterfly and captures everyone’s heart he comes across. He has that charm. We pray daily for a cure of SMA. It has definately been a factor in our family for years. We cherish everyday, and are thankful that Maxwell was given to us.

Thanks so much to Michele for contacting us and sharing about Maxwell.  He’s a beautiful boy, and we’re sure anyone who meets him does fall in love!  To read about previous FightSMA Featured Families, click here.

If you’d like to be a FightSMA Featured Family, just click here and sign up!