Articles by Amy Shinneman

At times, when I think about all the life experiences I have publicly shared – deeply personal stories of hardship and triumphs throughout my lifetime as a disabled person –…

Most of us have heard the saying “silence is golden,” meaning it is often better or more respectful to remain silent than to speak. The full saying is “speech is…

In about seven months, life as I know it will be drastically different. My youngest son will be heading off to college, joining his older brother at Purdue University. My…

Some of you may remember my “Dear Muscular Dystrophy” column I wrote. I was finally able to put into words the complicated feelings that living with Muscular Dystrophy cultivates. It…

Some of you may remember the column I wrote last year about my fourth-grade teacher Mrs. B who was a powerful figure in my young life. While only in my…

I am not sure when exactly this started, but in the last few months, I have developed an irrational fear of hospitals. Since I spent so much time in hospitals…

If you think back on your life, can you remember something you needed most in your life that you never received? Something that really stands out that was a missing…

The gift of movement. How often do you think about and appreciate all your body can do? All the little movements our bodies do that we may take for granted….

My house was about four blocks from my elementary school. Walking to school was a challenge that no one around me really understood. My small, weak legs made that trek…