The lifetime evolution of my definition of strength
What pops into your mind when you hear the word “strength”? I’m guessing that your answer will be based on the people around you. Anyone who was a child in the 1980s and ’90s…
My Darling Disability
— Kendall Harvey
Kendall Harvey is a wife and mother of two in Austin, Texas. She has been navigating life with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) since her diagnosis in 2013 at the age of 25. She worked in marketing before “retiring” to be a stay-at-home-mom. She is an optimistic warrior fighting for a better future free of FA. Until that day comes, she aspires to inspire others with her column by detailing personal life lessons about grit and grace. Kendall shares a message of hope despite disability.
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How people of different ages tend to react to my mobility aids
As my battle with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) and my progressively diminishing physical abilities — primarily balance, coordination, dexterity, and energy — wages on relentlessly, I’m forced to adapt. While I’m used to depending…
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The necessity of strength for FA’s inevitable mobility issues
People often speak about the strength it must take to be a young person living with a progressive neurological disease. While I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) at age 25 and have…
Thanks to my village, I don’t have to navigate FA life alone
I’m frequently asked how I handle the relentless progression of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) with a smile on my face. My answer is simple: I don’t do it on my own. Without the support…
As my FA progresses, my mantra is ‘don’t worry about tomorrow’
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is progressively degenerative, and its reach is far and wide. What started as trouble staying on my feet during sand volleyball matches became an inability to walk unassisted 10 years…
Happy 7th anniversary to ‘My Darling Disability’
This week marks the seventh anniversary of writing for Friedreich’s Ataxia News under the banner of “My Darling Disability.” I’m humbled by the thought that my words have impacted even one life in the…
Anticipating the storms of 2025, when I’ll be using a wheelchair
As I begin 2025, all of my planning, expectations, projects, and so forth are through the lens of this awareness: This is the year I’ll start using a wheelchair full time. Knowing this…
It’s OK to find joy in the midst of hardships
Life isn’t easy for anyone. Every person must trudge through hardship and struggles. Whether it’s a temporary sadness like illness or injury, seasonal hardships like a breakup or career setbacks, or even battling a…
It’s time to get myself out of a rut and face FA head-on
Have you ever found yourself in a rut? That can happen in most areas of life, such as cooking the same rotation of meals, rewatching your favorite movie or TV show, wearing the same…
