Portia joined the team at SMA UK as Advocacy Lead in 2022.

Through her close links to the SMA community, Portia works to advocate for improved access to treatments, therapies and services for all those living with SMA.

Portia is the mother of four children, her youngest son, now six, lives with SMA Type 1 and was one of the first children to be treated for the condition in the UK in 2017. Due to late diagnosis, he lives with complex needs, giving Portia strong motivation in her work as a member of the UK SMA Newborn Screening Alliance.

Portia has a degree in Psychology and 11 years’ experience as a Primary School teacher.