FHSTheFlash The Flash Volume 54, Issue 3 May 2014 | Page 12

Features
Have You Heard?

Savanna DiStefano

Flash Staff Editor

“

What is
All this
SMA

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic
disease affecting the
part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement.
Type I: earliest onset, usually at birth, and
the most severe symptoms.
Type II: usually happens in early childhood
and is less severe but
still disabling.

”

The proceeds are forwarded to Families of SMA, an organization dedicated to supporting families experiencing the effects of
SMA and finding a cure.
“If my brother’s power chair broke, the organization would go
through all the fund raising money and help us buy a new power
chair for him. We want to help his muscles stay strong; if not,
help them grow… and help him with all his additional needs
being a special needs child,” Loudermilk said. “I want to see my
little brother live past me. I don’t want to be the one burying him;
I want to see him succeed. I don’t want to see him get sick. If he
decides to have kids, they might have it because he does. I want
him to know for a fact that they will survive. It would be a lot
easier on everyone. There’s going to be a lot less death.”
Loudermilk’s brother, Max, is a fun-loving kid who enjoys
playing video games and reading adventurous fiction novels. His
optimistic personality helps himself and others to stay strong and
fighting for a cure.
“I can’t do everything my friends can do, like go on bike rides
and play laser tag,” Max said. “Some positive aspects would be
my awesome sister (Hannah) and being able to live a life as exciting as mine.”
The Loudermilks gain support from their family and friends.
Dakota Herbin, a life- long friend of both siblings, has committed
to help the family raise money and awareness.
“It’s a fun experience; it’s more of a group thing with our other
friends helping us fund raise. It’s interesting. It’s different because I’m not used to fund raising in that style or way, but it also
has that touch to it because you’re helping people out, whether or
not you realize it,” Herbin said.

May 2014, Volume 54, Issue 3

Business?

Fund raising is a part time job for freshman Hannah Loudermilk. Her disabled 12-year-old brother, Max, is her best friend,
and she shows her love through raising money and teaching others about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the recessive genetic
condition Max has. SMA affects the nervous system associated
with muscle movement, making it difficult to stand and walk.
“There’s no cure; there’s no treatment. There are four types,
and he has type two. If he gets a common cold right now, he
might not survive. There’s a lot of stress, and then with him only
being 12, you want him to feel like he can succeed,” Loudermilk
said.
Three years ago, Loudermilk and her mother began fund raising
by selling simple homemade accessories.
“We sat in front of stores. We were the ones that probably annoyed customers, the ones that sat out in the cold, and we just
had fun constantly,” Loudermilk said. “We rose over $4,000 last
year, so it’s this big thing this year; we hope to have a bigger outcome and keep raising money.”

I want to see my little
brother live past me. I
don’t want to be the one
burying him; I want to see
him succeed...

7

Type III: can happen
as late as adolescence
and may be only moderately disabling.

Max Loudermilk
Photo credit: Loudermilk family

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