Photos: Spinraza helps the Grabo boys keep walking
- Updated
A drug called Spinraza that was just approved by the FDA in December may help Kirsten Cloutier Grabo of Tucson realize her dream â to dance with her sons at their weddings. Both boys have a rare and progressive form of muscular dystrophy that without intervention will leave them unable to use their legs.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
A calm and mildly sedated Brady Grabo is moved to a table in a treatment room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.Â
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo and the boys Brady, left and Beckett with dogs roughhouse in the den of their home in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Three-year-old Beckett Grabo, left, watches his bother Brady, 9, pass the time on a computer game in a waiting room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo guides sons Beckett, 3, and brother Brady, 9, from the waiting room to begin the check-in and prep for their procedure at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Treatment with Spinraza has been called a miracle drug for people with SMA spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Three-year-old Beckett Grabo, left, asks RN Ruth Byar about the location of a lidocain cream as Brady, 9, passes the time on a computer game in a presp room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Brady Grabo, left, watches as RN Ruth Byar works on his iv while mom Kirsten watches at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Brothers Beckett, left, and Brady, keep busy as staff prepare them for their shots at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo comforts her son Brady before he gets a shot at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
The live x-ray at left shows a clamp placed on the skin to mark the center of the spine where the radiologist will perform a lumbar puncture and inject Spinraza into Brady Grabo's cerebrospinal fluid at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Brady Grabo, left, sleeps following his injection as his brother Becket waits to be move toward his procedure at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo shares a moment with Becket prior to his procedure for an injection of Spinraza at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Charity Garay, a registered nurse, talks with Becket Grabo about his favorite television characters in radiology room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Radiologist Dr. Frank Morello delivers the Spinraza to a sedated Beckett Grabo, assisted by Dr. Philip Ho, an interventional radiology fellow, at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Radiologist Dr. Frank Morello delivers the Spinraza to a sedated Becket Grabo at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. This is the third of four treatments they will get this year.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Beckett Grabo, right, uses body momentum to leap onto his bed at home in Tucson, AZ. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Beckett's spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) makes climbing onto the bed a challenge. Both boys devise systems of movement to overcome the challenges of the disease.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
5Dr. Katalin Scherer, measures the muscle resistance, of Brady Grabo, 9, right, as brother Beckett Grabo, 4, center, watches during a check Children's Clinic in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, April 17, 2017. The boys are being treated for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with Spinraza, a promising new drug.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
5Beckett Grabo, 4, and Brady Grabo, 9, run in the halls of the Children's Clinic in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, April 17, 2017 following their check-up for the results of their latest round of Spinraza treatments for their spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). P
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Beckett Grabo, 4, falls in the halls of the Children's Clinic in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, April 17, 2017 following his check-up for the results of his latest round of Spinraza treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Random falling is a part of the disease.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Brady and Beckett Grabo, l-r, bounce on a trampoline at their home in Tucson, AZ. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. as mom Kirsten Cloutier Grabo watches from afar. Both boys are encouraged to stay active to fight the muscle deterioration that comes with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
A calm and mildly sedated Brady Grabo is moved to a table in a treatment room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.Â
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo and the boys Brady, left and Beckett with dogs roughhouse in the den of their home in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Three-year-old Beckett Grabo, left, watches his bother Brady, 9, pass the time on a computer game in a waiting room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo guides sons Beckett, 3, and brother Brady, 9, from the waiting room to begin the check-in and prep for their procedure at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Brady Grabo is moved into a surgical suite at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for muscular dystrophy at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Treatment with Spinraza has been called a miracle drug for people with SMA spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Three-year-old Beckett Grabo, left, asks RN Ruth Byar about the location of a lidocain cream as Brady, 9, passes the time on a computer game in a presp room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Brady Grabo, left, watches as RN Ruth Byar works on his iv while mom Kirsten watches at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Brothers Beckett, left, and Brady, keep busy as staff prepare them for their shots at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo comforts her son Brady before he gets a shot at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
The live x-ray at left shows a clamp placed on the skin to mark the center of the spine where the radiologist will perform a lumbar puncture and inject Spinraza into Brady Grabo's cerebrospinal fluid at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Brady Grabo, left, sleeps following his injection as his brother Becket waits to be move toward his procedure at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Kirsten Cloutier Grabo shares a moment with Becket prior to his procedure for an injection of Spinraza at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Charity Garay, a registered nurse, talks with Becket Grabo about his favorite television characters in radiology room at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Radiologist Dr. Frank Morello delivers the Spinraza to a sedated Beckett Grabo, assisted by Dr. Philip Ho, an interventional radiology fellow, at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. The boys are undergoing new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the hospital.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Radiologist Dr. Frank Morello delivers the Spinraza to a sedated Becket Grabo at Banner University Medical Center Tucson in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, March 31, 2017. This is the third of four treatments they will get this year.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Beckett Grabo, right, uses body momentum to leap onto his bed at home in Tucson, AZ. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. Beckett's spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) makes climbing onto the bed a challenge. Both boys devise systems of movement to overcome the challenges of the disease.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
5Dr. Katalin Scherer, measures the muscle resistance, of Brady Grabo, 9, right, as brother Beckett Grabo, 4, center, watches during a check Children's Clinic in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, April 17, 2017. The boys are being treated for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with Spinraza, a promising new drug.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
5Beckett Grabo, 4, and Brady Grabo, 9, run in the halls of the Children's Clinic in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, April 17, 2017 following their check-up for the results of their latest round of Spinraza treatments for their spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). P
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Beckett Grabo, 4, falls in the halls of the Children's Clinic in Tucson, AZ. on Friday, April 17, 2017 following his check-up for the results of his latest round of Spinraza treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Random falling is a part of the disease.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Brady Grabo, 9, works on sit-ups as a teammates hold his feet down during drills at Old Pueblo Gymnastics Academy at 7670 E. Wrightstown Rd on Monday, May 8, 2017 in Tucson, AZ.
The Grabo family and Spinraza treatment
- Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star
Brady and Beckett Grabo, l-r, bounce on a trampoline at their home in Tucson, AZ. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017. as mom Kirsten Cloutier Grabo watches from afar. Both boys are encouraged to stay active to fight the muscle deterioration that comes with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson đĩ (@this_is_tucson) âĸ Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
27 exciting events to check out this weekend, January 16-18 đ
-
New eats! 10 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this fall
-
Tucson's twin winter music festivals kick off this weekend đĩ
-
Horchata lattes and breakfast burritos: Tucson's Barista del Barrio opens 2nd location
-
Looking ahead to Tucson's new and cool for '26
-
Nearly 50 fun events happening in the month of January! â¨
-
Glitter and boas: Dress up '70s style for ABBA tribute show at the Rialto đĒŠâ¨
-
Get ready to eat all the spicy tuna rolls you can at this viral sushi spot đŖ
-
Presta's newest location is bringing coffee culture to the foothills â
-
What a delicious year: the best meals I ate in Tucson in 2025 đ



