Dear Parent,

Receiving a diagnosis of SMA can feel devastating, hopeless, and as if your entire world has ended.  There are thousands of us who have felt that exact same way, and we are here to say that there is LIFE beyond diagnosis. There is HOPE beyond grief, and you will feel TRUE HAPPINESS, again.  

Prepare to live life with more APPRECIATION than you have ever felt before!  You will learn more from your child than you could ever teach him/ her.  Open your heart to the possibility that you and your child are both equally blessed.  He/ she may be ONE IN TEN THOUSAND, but being his/ her parent is truly the best!”

-Sierra Kulas, Mother of Kalen & Kyan who are both children with SMA Type 2

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Christy L. Ott, MD is a board-certified pediatrician currently practicing medicine at Family Health Services: Pediatric Healthcare Associates in the city of Chattanooga, TN.  Inspired by the stories of Kyan and Kalen Kulas, two brothers who both were diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 in early childhood, One in Ten Thousand is a story of courageous children who experience the challenges of SMA everyday. 

Dr. Ott is also the author of a bedtime story entitled, I Don’t Like Night, Mommy! To purchase her other works, visit www.christyott.com.