Seven year old Kiley McClay, pictured left, has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Because of muscle weakness, she gets around using a power wheelchair and receives help from her assistance service dog, Billy. And last month, Kiley made her big screen debut in the film “Extraordinary Measures.” Along with other children who use wheelchairs, Kiley was an extra in the movie. She appears for only seconds, but it was long enough for a close-up. According to Kiley’s mom, Rozie, “It’s not very long, but they showed her a couple of times, and at one point, she was on the whole screen.”

While the film is not about SMA, a story about parents pushing for research into a cure for the rare, neuromuscular disease affecting their children connected with Kiley’s parents, advocates for SMA research themselves. “Families and scientists and doctors are all working closely,” Rozie said. “In the movie, they end up getting a treatment, which is awesome. We’d also settle for a treatment.”

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