Posts by: Matthew Lafleur

Matthew Lafleur

Matt Lafleur was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia at age 11. He has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's in mental health counseling. He is an associate editor at the faith-based blog Sick Pilgrim.

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019

Introducing the Friedreich’s Ataxia News Forums

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

BioNews Services is launching a new project on Jan. 22: the Friedreich’s Ataxia News Forums. This will be a place for all of those affected with FA — patients, caregivers, ... Read more

January 9, 2019January 7, 2019

‘Bird Box’ Is Worth the Hype, Especially for the Disabled

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

Spoiler alert: In this column, I’ll review the popular Netflix movie “Bird Box.” I explore the movie’s ending. If you like suspenseful sci-fi movies, I recommend watching it first, then returning ... Read more

January 2, 2019December 20, 2018

A New Year’s Resolution I Can Keep

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

“What’s your resolution?” This time of year, redefinition is almost a buzzword. Resolutions and goals are a hailstorm assault on social media. As the calendars mark another complete orbit ... Read more

December 19, 2018December 17, 2018

A Little Gift from ‘Little Victories’

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

Writing this column has really been a joy for me. A significant source of worry with a progressive disorder like Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is the difficulty of finding a ... Read more

December 12, 2018December 10, 2018

Surviving the In-between Moments

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

On any typical day at my middle school, the closer you were to the bench, the higher your social status. It was a cheaply made concrete bench, painted over ... Read more

December 5, 2018December 4, 2018

Introversion as an Excuse

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

Sometimes I use my introversion as an excuse. It’s safe and secure; it’s familiar not to expose myself to unfamiliar situations. I find safety and comfort in familiarity. “So what ... Read more

November 28, 2018November 26, 2018

Finding Reasons to Stay Alive

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

Drowsily and with great effort, I hoisted the top half of my body upright in the hotel bed. Before I drifted off, I groggily but sincerely asked my friend ... Read more

November 21, 2018November 22, 2018

I’m Burning but Not Burnt

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

There is something magnetic and almost hypnotic about a bonfire, I thought, as the unexpected snap of a burning stick spooked us all. My small cluster of shadowy friends ... Read more

November 14, 2018November 9, 2018

Where the Heck Is Matt?

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

It doesn’t make sense, and I’ve given up trying to figure it out. It’s a silly video sponsored by a chewing gum company that paid a man to travel the ... Read more

November 7, 2018November 6, 2018

Vacation Endings and Beginnings

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

Last in a series of reflections on a recent vacation to Turks and Caicos. Read previous reflections here. “I began my vacation today,” Jake told me over video chat. That lazy ... Read more

October 31, 2018October 30, 2018

The Caribbean Was the Perfect Spot to Set Aside My Fierce Independence

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

A continuation of a series of reflections on a recent vacation to Turks and Caicos. In this column, I take a rainy boat ride and am confronted by my ... Read more

October 24, 2018October 30, 2018

Sunny Days on Vacation with My Nephew Jace

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

In this reflection on a vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands, I focus on time spent with my nephew Jace. Check out my earlier thoughts on traveling with ... Read more

October 17, 2018October 16, 2018

The Mother of Vacation Origins

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

In this reflection on a vacation to the Turks and Caicos Islands, I discuss the purpose of my trip: my incredible mom. Check out my earlier thoughts on traveling with ... Read more

October 10, 2018October 9, 2018

Reflections on My Vacation to Turks and Caicos: Traveling Ain’t So Easy Anymore, Thanks to FA

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

First in a series of reflections on a recent vacation to an amazing resort on Providenciales island in Turks and Caicos. In the cramped seat of the plane, nothing ... Read more

October 3, 2018October 1, 2018

Learning to Live in the Present

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

“What’s next for me?” I remember asking my friend, sitting across the table from me at a popular and kitschy restaurant. My friend was used to me being melodramatic; ... Read more

September 26, 2018September 25, 2018

The Algebra of Dating with FA: The Ex and the Why

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

“I get him, and he gets me,” Cassandra states as if it’s obvious. Her boyfriend Roland can be seen in the background of this shot, acting goofy and dancing ... Read more

September 19, 2018September 17, 2018

Daydreaming and Other Ways of Coping

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

“Don’t hold a glass over the flame/Don’t let your heart grow cold/I will call you by name/I will share your road.” –Mumford & Sons. “Matt?” my professor repeated for ... Read more

September 12, 2018September 10, 2018

FA Progression and Childhood Spies

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

In my memory, we were always lithe and sure-footed. Two shadowy cat burglars, but with no inclination to steal. So, not burglars; we were spies. Spies! My aunt and ... Read more

August 29, 2018August 27, 2018

I’m Still Pedaling to Keep My Oath

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

I gritted my teeth. The August sun in south Louisiana pounded unrelentingly onto my head. Drops of sweat trickled down from my hairline, along the sides of my face. ... Read more

August 22, 2018August 20, 2018

Finding the ‘Why’ and Bearing the ‘How’

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

Reminders of life’s beginning and end kept cropping up unexpectedly this week. My 4-month-old niece was baptized, initiated into her parents’ faith, and began a journey. Days later, I ... Read more

August 15, 2018August 14, 2018

The Day I Began Tracking My ‘Little Victories’

Columns, Little Victories - a Column by Matthew Lafleur

In an instant, my plans and dreams vanished; I was left wandering through life with no set future, and it was scary. I can remember parts of that day ... Read more