“I had seen many pulmonologists throughout my life and was reluctant to meet a new one. But when I came to Penn’s Harron Lung Center and sat with Dr. Ackrivo for the first time, it felt like a complete 180.”
Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Cough Assist Machine
Viola uses her Cough Assist Machine daily to keep her airways clear and help expand her lungs. It gives her peace of mind and she is grateful to Dr. Ackrivo and the team not only for the expert care they provide, but also the sense that they truly value her as a human being.
I was first referred to Dr. Ackrivo at Penn Medicine’s Fishman Center for Home-Assisted Ventilation by my neurologist when I was very ill. I had a virulent lower respiratory tract infection. This infection was a cause for concern since I also have the neuromuscular disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disease and affects everyone differently. It affects muscles throughout the body, including those in the shoulders, hips, and back; the muscles for feeding and swallowing and the muscles involved in breathing and coughing.
Being born with SMA, I had seen many pulmonologists throughout my life and was reluctant to meet a new one. But when I came to Penn’s Harron Lung Center and sat with Dr. Ackrivo for the first time, it felt like a complete 180. He took the time to listen to my concerns and carefully answer my questions. There were options presented, choices to discuss. He introduced me to the Cough Assist Machine — a device I rely on daily to keep my airways clear, help expand my lungs, and that has contributed to my peace of mind. I am grateful to Dr. Ackrivo and the team at the Fishman Center for Home-Assisted Ventilation not only for the expert care they provide, but also the sense that they truly value me as a human being.
Being treated with that kind of value is one of the main messages behind the vlog my husband Dan and I created. Our vlog, The Ginchiest, helps others feel at peace with whatever physical and mental challenges life hands them, to show that they are not alone and that they’re likely capable of a lot more than they think. The team at the Fishman Center for Home-Assisted Ventilation helps people like me, those living with a disability, to do exactly what our vlog encourages others to do — to live a high-quality life with dignity and autonomy.
Associate Director, Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation; Assistant Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Assistant Professor of Medicine in Neurology
Jason Ackrivo, MD, MSCE is Associate Director, Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation. Dr. Ackrivo is board certified in Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Internal Medicine and sees patients at Harron Lung Center Perelman and Penn Neurology Pennsylvania Hospital.
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