Image Credit: Cindy Jackson

By Silvia Senna

Fab Over 40

Kamloops resident joins contest to help raise awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Nov 14, 2023 | 12:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Cindy Jackson was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy when she was in Grade 4. It’s a genetic disease that affects the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system and voluntary muscle movement. Since then, she has learned to adapt.

“I needed to find a way to be positive about this journey I was going to be on. I always say I’m going to have to be the best that I can,” she said.

Her doctor once told her she would need a wheelchair by the time she was 40 years old, but she decided to beat the odds.

“Scientifically, you’re not able to stand up, never mind walk. And I go, ‘Well, I’m not going to believe in science, I want to keep going.'”

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That is why she just went into a wheelchair about four years ago, when she was already 62.

“I ended up going from being able to walk, then using a walking stick, then a walker, then a scooter and then the wheelchair. Once I got into my wheelchair, I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to inspire other people,” she said.

That was when Jackson got into the Fab Over 40 contest, in which women from all over the world compete for a final prize — including a two-page spread in NewBeauty Magazine plus $40,000 — while supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“This is a great platform where I can talk about Spinal Muscular Atrophy, I can talk about finding joy, having a disability and being in a wheelchair, so I decided to apply,” she explained.

Jackson has made it to the Top 10 nationwide finalists and, even though the competition is not over yet, she already feels like a winner.

“I’ve already won. My hope was to share my condition, make people more aware, raise money for the national Cancer Foundation. If I inspired at least one person, I already won.”

Jackson also left a message about the importance of positivity for those who might be going through a similar condition.

“There are beautiful things in their lives, just the way they are. Always believe that something wonderful is going to happen today and look for that one wonderful thing. Always believe in hope.”

People can vote for Jackson on the Fab Over 40 website.