Meet Weston
Hello, my name is Weston Gehman, and I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type II.
When I was around eight months old, my parents began to notice that I was having difficulty holding my bottle and rolling over. Concerned, they took me to the doctor, where after a series of testsI was officially diagnosed with SMA. At the time, in the year 2000, the prognosis was grim. My parents were advised to love and care for me as much as possible, as doctors did not expect me to live past my first birthday.
However, as many of us know, God’s plan often exceeds what medical professionals can predict. I’m incredibly grateful for the journey I’ve experienced and the perspective I’ve gained through living with a disability. These experiences have inspired in me a deep desire to support and empower others facing similar challenges.
In 2022, I launched my nonprofit organization Stairs2Chairs, with a mission to make the world more accessible for all. We accomplish this by providing handicap-accessible home renovations at no cost to individuals and families in need. To date, we’ve had the honor of assisting families in both St. Paul, Minnesota, and Rochester, New York.
Currently, our efforts are funded solely through individual donations and social media outreach. Our next goal is to establish corporate sponsorships, which will enable us to expand our reach and support more people in need of accessibility solutions. If you’d like to follow our journey or learn more about our work, please visit our website at stairs2chairs.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and learn about our mission.
Meet Pamela
Pamela Mastcko- Advocate and SMA Warrior.
Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of six, Pamela has lived a life defined not by limitations, but by resilience and determination. From her earliest years,subtle differences in her mobility- difficulty with stairs, running, an unsteady gait- led to years of inconclusive doctor visits. It wasn’t until a cousin received the same diagnosis that the similarities in their movements promoted deeper investigation, eventually confirmed by a muscle biopsy.
Growing up, Pamela led an active life that defied expectations. She danced for ten years, earned her red belt in karate, and cheered competitively with her high school. To many, she seemed like any other child- something she worked hard to maintain, often masking her condition out of a sense of embarrassment. But even in silence, she was building strength.
Pamela received early treatment at The Ohio State University, where her familyparticipated in genetic testing due to the rare presentation of SMA in cousins. Years later, she and her cousin became some of the first patients dosed with Spinraza, a groundbreaking treatment for SMA- an experience she views as both historic and hopeful.
After a series of injuries in her 30s- including a broken foot and later significant knee trauma- Pamela experienced accelerated atrophy and reduced mobility. Today she remains semi ambulatory at home and uses a power chair for safety and distance in public. She continues her lifelong care with Ohio State and remains passionately involved in the SMA community.
An outspoken advocate for people with disabilities, Pamela challenges themisconception that physical disability equates to intellectual limitation. Through her workin education, her career and her personal storytelling, she strives to amplify the voices of adults living with SMA- an often-overlooked demographic in research and support efforts.
While she acknowledges the challenges of living with a progressive condition, Pamelacontinues to dream of a life without limits- and works each day to build a more inclusive, understanding world.
If you’d like to connect with Pamela you can find her on IG: @pamelamastcko or FB:Pamela Norfolk Mastcko
Need support or information?
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you.