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Madison Cantrell's world changed forever when her infant son Asher suddenly struggled to breathe one morning at just two months old. What followed was an intense medical journey leading to a diagnosis that only 60 people worldwide share – Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Respiratory Distress (SMARD), a progressive neuromuscular disease with a devastating prognosis.
With remarkable clarity and vulnerability, Maddy walks us through the day-to-day reality of fighting for her son's life – from those first terrifying moments in the emergency room to the gut-wrenching weeks of watching her baby intubated in the PICU. When genetic testing finally provided answers, she was told her son had just two years to live.
But Maddy and her husband, Trent, refused to accept this outcome. Through a series of what can only be described as divine connections, she discovered an experimental gene therapy in clinical trials.
Throughout our conversation, Maddy's faith shines as her anchor. As a licensed professional counselor herself, she offers profound insights into processing trauma while parenting a medically complex child. She articulates beautifully how both fear and faith require believing in something unseen – but faith offers hope when medical science reaches its limits.
This episode will move you to tears and inspire you simultaneously. Whether you're navigating your own medical challenges with a child or simply need perspective on what truly matters, Maddy’s story reminds us of the extraordinary strength within ordinary people when faced with impossible circumstances.
SmashSMARD:
https://www.smashsmard.org/
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https://www.instagram.com/cantrellcrew_?igsh=MW94d2hhb2Q4cmEwMg==
Connect with Maddy on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1JHF38G24F/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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XO, Alexis Schmoker
Mama of the Wild Crew
📸: A heartfelt thank you to Jordan Allen of Cr00ked Teeth Photography for capturing this stunning cover photo.
