# My baby girl has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 18, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126 "2010-07-18T15:17:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 36
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/701 "2011-02-15T03:45:49Z")
I’m so, so happy for you guys! ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2011, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/702 "2011-02-15T04:28:26Z")
Woohoo! Congrats – glad we could pitch in! ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/703 "2011-03-09T18:27:41Z")
Exciting news over at the blog … we launched the [GETTY OWL FOUNDATION](http://gettyowl.com/2011/03/08/getty-owl-foundation/) … a nonprofit dedicated to helping families and fighting SMA! ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/704 "2011-03-09T18:31:44Z")
Posted to my Facebook page. Congratulations. I hope the foundation does really well. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/705 "2011-03-10T03:43:54Z")
It’s very admirable that you can think of others with all you’re going through. Good luck! StG ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/706 "2011-03-10T13:19:24Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > At her last doctor’s appointment, she was in the 94th percentile of dome circumference for her age. Big heads run on my side of the family. > > We give her “tummy time” on her belly, but she can’t lift her head under her own power. She tries but her little neck can’t do it. She wiggles a round in a face plant position then gets frustrated. Apparently, most babies can do that by now. > > She’s otherwise happy and healthy. We haven’t been back to the doctor, but she didn’t seem concerned at the last meeting. There is a marvelous Woman Who is head of Califorinia’s Handicapped division who is now in her 50’s She has had Muscular Spinal Dystrophy all her life, She has had 2 marriages and bore 2 healthy children and is now a Grandmother. She is very intellegent, graduated with honors from the University of Arizona. She can only use her one finger and needs her husband to feed, dress etc. her. I have known her since she was in High School. A person who is a honor to know..she never complains. Her name is Laural Horiup I am not sure of the spelling of her last name. but she would give you good advice about your daughter.She has an office in Sacramento. A person everyone shuld get to know. A true hero and inspiration to anyone with the priviledge to meet her. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/707 "2011-03-10T16:40:45Z")
I couldn’t find her by Googling that name. Can you PM me her contact info? We are always looking for people who may be able to advise us on how to improve our daughter’s life. We are also looking for people who are willing to support the cause and find a cure. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/708 "2011-03-10T18:28:18Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I couldn’t find her by Googling that name. Can you PM me her contact info? > > We are always looking for people who may be able to advise us on how to improve our daughter’s life. We are also looking for people who are willing to support the cause and find a cure. > > Thank you! Try Laurie Hoirup, Chief Deputy Director. State Council on Developmental Disabilities. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/709 "2011-03-10T18:49:08Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > Try Laurie Hoirup, Chief Deputy Director. State Council on Developmental Disabilities. OK thanks! ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/710 "2011-03-11T12:28:09Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I couldn’t find her by Googling that name. Can you PM me her contact info? > > We are always looking for people who may be able to advise us on how to improve our daughter’s life. We are also looking for people who are willing to support the cause and find a cure. > > Thank you! Her Name is Laurie(she uses it this way) Chief Deputy Director State council of Developement Disabilities Phone no 916-324-5939 fAX 916 443-4957 EMAIL-laurie.hoirup@scdd,[ca.gov](http://ca.gov) Tell her Karen’s mom gave you her name. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/711 "2011-03-11T18:12:43Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/712 "2011-03-12T12:52:57Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > Thank you! You are welcome and I am sure she will give you good advice since she has the same disability. She will tell you all people have some disability, and can tell you how her wonderful Mom and step Dad helped her live a good life. She is an inspiration to anyone who meets her! ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/713 "2011-03-12T18:41:43Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > You are welcome and I am sure she will give you good advice since she has the same disability. She will tell you all people have some disability, and can tell you how her wonderful Mom and step Dad helped her live a good life. > She is an inspiration to anyone who meets her! I emailed and got an “out of office for an extended period of time” response. Hope she’s ok. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/714 "2011-03-13T12:50:24Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I emailed and got an “out of office for an extended period of time” response. Hope she’s ok. She does travel a lot. She does lecture to families etc. to help people understand and help them with children( and even adults) to cope with this disability. I will check with Karen, they correspond a lot and she would be kept up on Laural’s condition. Her husband would contact Karen if there was anything wrong with Laurie. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/715 "2011-03-13T17:23:59Z")
If she’s travelling, she still might check her email or her facebook account once in a while. This is her FB: [Redirecting...](http://www.facebook.com/people/Laurie-Hoirup/1427012266) ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/716 "2011-03-15T12:21:06Z")
> [@MoodIndigo1](#): > > If she’s travelling, she still might check her email or her facebook account once in a while. > This is her FB: [http://www.facebook.com/people/Laurie-Hoirup/1427012266](http://www.facebook.com/people/Laurie-Hoirup/1427012266) I will contact her and see what she says, I have her personal email. ---
**Author:** ![monavis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e0b2c6/32.png) [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2011, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/717 "2011-03-16T12:25:02Z")
Find her on: [laurieslegacy.com](http://laurieslegacy.com). ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/718 "2011-03-16T14:58:42Z")
> [@monavis](#): > > Find her on: [laurieslegacy.com](http://laurieslegacy.com). ok thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/719 "2011-03-16T18:55:21Z")
**monavis** , I sent you an email. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2011, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126/720 "2011-03-16T19:36:14Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > **monavis** , I sent you an email. bounceback [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126.md?page=35) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-baby-girl-has-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/547126.md?page=37)