The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photos: A fork in the road; the story of two Iowa women

Stella+receives+bi-monthly+physical+therapy+at+her+home+in+Pella%2C+Iowa.+The+physical+therapy+is+used+to+monitor+her+strength+while+undergoing+the+treatment%2C+Spinraza.+Her+mother+Sarah+gives+her+words+of+encouragement+while+moving+the+hair+off+of+her+face.+%28Ben+Allan+Smith%2FThe+Daily+Iowan%29
Ben Allan Smith
Stella receives bi-monthly physical therapy at her home in Pella, Iowa. The physical therapy is used to monitor her strength while undergoing the treatment, Spinraza. Her mother Sarah gives her words of encouragement while moving the hair off of her face. (Ben Allan Smith/The Daily Iowan)
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Fork in the road is a narrative of two women in Iowa. Both of these individuals were diagnosed at a young age with the neuromuscular disorder, Spinal Muscular Atrophy. They live 88 miles apart and have known each other for ten years. Hannah Soyer, 23, is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa and published author in Cosmopolitan magazine on the subject of sex and disability. She was diagnosed at just one year after her birth and maintains her independence through the use of hired help. Stella Turnbull, 11, lives in Pella, Iowa and is the daughter of Sarah and Travis Turnbull. She was diagnosed at five months and does not have the ability to speak with limited use of her muscles. Both of them are extremely resilient. This is a window into their lives.

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