SMA does not stop this teen’s moves
Diagnosed with type 2 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Ofek Cohen is used to being limited by his physical condition. “I’m not able to do much on my own,” Ofek says. “I’m very weak. I can’t walk or write or pick things up. I need help doing everything.”
But he doesn’t let this stop him. At 16 years old, Ofek is a junior in high school, a member of the National Honor Society, and a chess champion. Although Ofek is unable to move the chess pieces himself and must rely on his opponent for help, he has won his county’s chess tournament for the second year in a row. Bill Wardle, the tournament sponsor, says “Ofek is good at analyzing the situation when he plays chess…He rarely makes a mistake.”
To read more about Ofek and his battle with SMA, click here.
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