Columns

When faced with health challenges, I aim to be resilient

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Botox injections. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.​ Living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a journey that tests the limits of one’s resilience. The progressive nature of this…

Magical thinking was ever-present in my early days with FA

Before my neurology appointments, I practiced tasks like touching my forefinger to my thumb, forming the “O” of the “OK” symbol. Part of my exam was, and still is, measuring how quickly I can do that repeatedly. I was determined to excel in my neurological exam. Now, I look back…

Being called a warrior when I feel like anything but

There’s a lot that comes with the territory of having a visible disability, especially if you choose to live your life out loud rather than hide. I never imagined I’d have to make that choice until I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in 2013. Back then, I understood…

From fumbles to fortitude: Learning to quiet my inner critic

Living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) involves daily challenges that often go unnoticed by others. Coordination, balance, and speech impairments may be brushed off as simple clumsiness, but the consequences can be more than inconvenient. Put simply, these challenges make every routine task more demanding. Despite these hurdles, I strive…