As my grandpa always said, “You need the right tool for each job.” Despite this, I always turn to the same tools out of habit when working around the house. My vise grip is almost always close, and I use it all the time. In fact, I often grab…
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Before my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) symptoms began, I was a healthy young adult with active hobbies, big plans, and an extroverted lifestyle. Now, after more than a decade with FA, I’ve seen so much change and many unexpected lessons. Some obvious physical struggles come along with a progressively…
An intensive and multidisciplinary rehabilitation program eased symptoms of ataxia — lack of coordination and muscle control — and improved motor function in adults and children with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a study reported. The sweeping program offered physiotherapy, occupational therapy, manual activities, psychological support, speech therapy, and clinical psychology.
When our daughter Amelia first started showing symptoms of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) and we headed off on our diagnostic odyssey, something else important happened: The laughter was sucked out of our home. I didn’t notice it at first when a cloud of many hard emotions began…
“Friedreich’s ataxia.” After long months of visiting different kinds of doctors all over my home state, those were the words the neurologist uttered. My family and I had desperately sought a medical reason why I’d begun to doubt and question my functioning, even as my 9-year-old peers were getting more…
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the body and is found in some foods, may help to treat Friedreich’s ataxia and other neurological diseases, according to a review article. The review, “Involvement of Coenzyme Q10 in Various Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Diseases,” was published in…
Columnist Matt Lafleur celebrated his 38th birthday this month, one small way he’s defied the odds in his life with Friedrich’s ataxia.
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Becoming educated and informed about FA is a good first step. Here you’ll find general information about the disease, including diagnosis, symptoms, and causes.
It helps to know others have been where you are now. Here’s a collection of our columnists’ words of wisdom to help you along on your FA journey.
There is no cure for FA yet, but here you can find more information about current therapeutic approaches, as well as experimental treatments that are in the pipeline.
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