The lived body – both the vehicle and the message: a longitudinal case study

From early childhood, Hanna, born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy II, has adhered to a standing posture for all her independent locomotion.

Aim: To investigate why Hanna in childhood chose to stand and the meaning that standing holds for Hanna as an adult.

Method: Single case study of a single person, Hanna, based on her contemporary statements as an adult about her lived experience from childhood, introduced in a phenomenological context and analysed using hermeneutics.

Result: Standing gives Hanna access to bodily comfort in an active posture, influences how the world presents itself to her, how she presents herself to the world, and improves interacting with others.

Conclusion: Although just a single case study, the findings may stimulate further research on the possible benefits of standing combined with independent locomotion from early childhood and the meaning it can hold for people with SMA II.