Spinal muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a group of genetic diseases that cause muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) due to the loss of specialized nerve cells called motor neurons. These motor neurons, located in the spinal cord and brainstem, are crucial for controlling voluntary muscle movements like walking, breathing, and swallowing. SMA is primarily caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which lead to a deficiency in the SMN protein, essential for motor neuron survival and function. Key aspects of

Catie’s mum, Alison, loved life. After being diagnosed with motor neurone disease, she made the heartbreaking decision to travel to Dignitas to have some control at the end, rather than suffering through the final stages of a cruel disease. She should have been able to die in this country, at home with her family. Catie is fighting for change in her memory. | Dignity in Dying