Columns

This morning, I rolled into my office and found papers scattered across my desk. It looked as though a mischievous sprite had emptied the file cabinet. Unfortunately, I knew the sprite was me. Being organized makes life with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) easier. When everything has an accessible home, I…

I have a framed anonymous saying beside my bed that reads, “There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy.” I see it at least twice a day, and it makes me think about the things in my life I take for granted, dismiss as common, or that can be…

Last weekend, my mother, daughter, and I went to a glass-blowing studio to make decorative glass pumpkins. It was such a fun experience, and we learned so much about the 2,000-year-old art of glass blowing. I am now fully dependent on a wheelchair due to my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA)…

Growing up, Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays. My birthday falls a couple of weeks after the holiday, so I always combined the two. For years, I threw Halloween-themed birthday parties, complete with costumes, games, and, most importantly, cookie cake. Each year, we gathered in a local restaurant’s…

Last week, I sat with my service dog near my home’s entrance, waiting for public transportation to take me to a doctor appointment. It was a cool fall day with drizzling rain — the kind of day that made me want to cancel the appointment and cozy up by the…

I recently came across this wise advice from 1 Peter 3:10: “If you want to enjoy true life and have only good days, then avoid saying anything hurtful, and never let a lie come out of your mouth.” It prompted a self-reflection that really convicted me. Saying hurtful things or…

When I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) in 2013, my family and I had never heard of the disease. So we had a lot to learn about this new, lifelong character that was now a part of our story. My father, the kindest, wisest, and most generous and…

Lately, it seems like my journey with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) has been a major focus of my life. Between sustaining three fractures in nine months, meeting new people, and refusing to let my symptoms dictate how I spend my time, I’ve had to accept and adapt to many…

A few days ago, I celebrated my birthday. I love a party, so I love this occasion. It’s a reason to be with friends and family and eat cake. It is one of my happy places. My birthday is also a reminder of my journey with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).

At the beginning of September, I turned 39. As I enter the last year of my 30s, I feel both gratitude and resolve. Since I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) a few weeks before my 26th birthday, it is safe to say that the condition has been…

I’ve been reading Wally Lamb’s latest novel, “The River Is Waiting,” and somewhere along the way I realized that this isn’t just another book I’m enjoying. It’s a reminder of why I keep coming back to Lamb’s work. That realization sent me back to the first time I picked up…

About a week ago, I sat in my husband Dave’s car with butterflies in my stomach. My new service dog, Fresco, sat calmly in the back seat. Fresco and I were about to take the public access test for service dogs. I didn’t want to do it. After only…