Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at 18 months old, Thomas Tucker III of Seffner has never had the opportunity to run, skip or climb on playground equipment with other children. ...more

February 18, 2009

As movement becomes more difficult, due to age or other issues, stretching becomes important just to maintain abilities. It may be difficult to imagine practicing yoga if you can't move particularly easily. But the peaceful, gentle stretching may actually be a good choice for people with disabilities. ...more

November 1, 2008

PLANT CITY South Florida Baptist Hospital's annual Children's Health Fair will include doses of fun. ...more

September 30, 2008

Tampa resident James Blake, who makes his Olympic debut in Beijing, took time out while competing at the Cincinnati Masters to answer questions via e-mail: ...more

August 7, 2008

Nov. 9, 2004, at 11:31 a.m. That's when Ashley and Lewis Davidson learned their daughter Ava had spinal muscular atrophy. The condition is a genetic disease of the nerves affecting voluntary muscular movement, according to the Web site of Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. "I just started crying hysterically," Ashley recalled. "I wanted someone to hug me. I felt really alone." ...more

July 19, 2008

The third-round leader of the U.S. Women's Open has an amazing story. ...more

June 29, 2008

A walkathon will both educate about the spinal deformity scoliosis and raise money for research. ...more

May 10, 2008

SEBRING — Even though he has maintained straight A's in school, Austin North jokingly says his favorite subject is "lunch." Austin, 14, is your typical run-of-the-mill seventh-grader. He likes video games, talking about cars and ice cream, and has a "great wit," as his mother, Candace North, of Lorida, will attest. But Austin is a little bit different compared to his schoolmates at Hill-Gustat Middle School. Austin was diagnosed with duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMS) when he was 3 years old. The disease, which affects Austin's muscles and his breathing, has left him unable to walk and in a wheelchair. ...more

February 11, 2008

Sometimes, the water shuts off in the middle of the day. The doctors wash their hands in buckets. ...more

November 19, 2007