He Stopped Hiding the Emotional Reality Living with SMA | Kevin Schaefer | Victortheinspiration

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kevin Schaefer (@kevinschaefer19) — a writer, journalist, and disability advocate living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA Type 2) — to unpack the real journey behind confidence, independence, and finding your voice. Kevin shares what it was like growing up with SMA in the pre–social media era, navigating hospitalizations, school accessibility, and the hidden emotional weight of disability. He opens up about a major turning point in college, how counseling helped him stop bottling things in, and why hiring outside caregivers became one of the most life-changing steps toward true independence. We also talk faith, trauma, disability, and why disability isn’t the tragedy — inaccessibility is.Learn More About Their Story:https://victortheinspiration.com/blogs/become-the-victor-podcast/living-with-sma-type-2-kevin-schaefer-on-independence-caregiversConnect with Kevin Schaefer:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinschaefer19/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMANewsTodayWebsite:https://smanewstoday.com/Become the Victor | Complete Interview Series:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhuwnO_369gsaifZ0YkajPVDpTcN5hoOQThe Meaning of “Become the Victor”: To become the victor means to conquer your own story and to find strength and meaning in the bad and ugly seasons of life, turning your trials into triumph.My book, Become the Victor: Turning Trials into Triumph, tells my personal journey and offers guidance for anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or unsure how to move forward. It is a reminder that “your greatest tests will become your greatest testimony.” My book is available online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play Books. Get My Book Here:https://victortheinspiration.com/blogs/book-links/book-linksYou can directly go online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play Books typing in the title “Become the Victor: Turning Trials into Triumph” or simply search “Victortheinspiration”. Connect with Me:https://www.instagram.com/becomethevictorr/My YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@VictortheinspirationMy Life with SMA:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXeepRh23LFqpR6iOdsaVjgYaeRX5u_ePThe people I serve are usually in a quiet battle. They’re the ones trying to keep moving forward while carrying something heavy — mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. From the outside they look fine, but internally they’re questioning their direction, their confidence, or even their worth. Many feel behind in life, misunderstood, or unsure if they still have time to become who they thought they would be.My audience isn’t just one demographic — it is a shared experience. Some live with disabilities, some are navigating grief, anxiety, or burnout, and others are simply at a crossroads where the life they planned no longer matches the life they’re living. They’re not looking for hype or surface-level motivation. They’re looking for understanding… and proof that transformation is possible.So, Become the Victor exists for the person who feels stuck, but doesn’t want to stay there.They listen because they want to hear real conversations — not perfect stories about how someone has gone through uncertainty and came out wiser. The goal is that when the episode ends, they don’t just feel inspired… they feel capable of taking one step forward in their own life.The information on this podcast and the resources available are for educational and informational purposes only.