Health Policy

As some of you may know, my son Carter was diagnosed as an infant with genetic condition named Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 (SMA). SMA is a disease that keeps the body from producing certain proteins that allow the nerves to stimulate the muscles and because the muscles aren't stimulated, they begin and continue to atrophy and get smaller and weaker. Carter's muscles are very weak, he has never walked, and it has left him confined to a wheelchair and unable to lift more that 1-2 lbs. It has also caused him to undergo over seventeen surgeries, including having rods placed in his back, and many more hospitalizations. The most important thing for us, as parents, is to keep him healthy and especially from getting upper respiratory infections such as the flu, RSV, bronchitis, pneumonia, covid, whooping cough, croup, etc, which is what kills most SMA individuals as they do not have the strength to cough well and to get the mucus out. Any major cold/flu/virus he gets may require him to stay several days or weeks in the ICU in the hospital. Therefore, I am asking that if you, as a student or your family, have the flu, cold, RSV, or any contagious respiratory problems that you please reschedule your lesson with me for another time. I need to do this to keep him safe and healthy. I would greatly appreciate your help with this endeavor!

Sincerely,

Mark