A Practical Guide to Life with FA - a Column by Christina Cordaro

Living with an invisible disability is not easy. Symptoms that cannot be seen are difficult for outsiders to understand. Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) entails neurological issues, heart conditions, fatigue, and chronic pain. Some patients may use mobility aids full time, part time, or not at all. Each person with…

I read an article recently in The Philadelphia Inquirer that affected me on a personal level and left an impression. It addresses the poor condition of sidewalks and curb ramps in Philadelphia, and the difficulty they pose to people with limited mobility. The article describes the city’s failure to…

My family and I organize an annual grassroots event called the 5K Mother’s Day Race for Christina. This May was our seventh year hosting the event to bring people together to raise awareness and funds for Friedreich’s ataxia research. Hosting an event like this one involves months of planning.

My husband, Justin, and I have an annual tradition. Every summer, we go to our second-favorite city, Baltimore. We have been making this trip to “Charm City” for four years. We fell in love with Baltimore and keep returning for many reasons. The city, located near the water, is beautiful,…

I celebrated my birthday Aug. 24. I wrote in my recent column about the importance of looking forward with a positive attitude despite my diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Because my FA is progressing faster than my family or I had expected, I have learned to accept that I…

My birthday was last weekend. I was so excited when my best friend, Lizz, and her bridesmaids decided to host Lizz’s bachelorette party that weekend. What better way to celebrate my birthday? Her wedding is less than a month away, so this was a great precursor to the best day…

August is coming to an end. This is always my favorite time of year because my birthday rapidly approaches. To me, fall indicates a fresh start and signals new beginnings to look forward to. Tomorrow, Aug. 24, I will be turning 29 years old. It’s scary to think this is…

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) patients face multiple symptoms that can help confirm a diagnosis. The five most common symptoms are difficulty walking, sensory changes (such as hearing loss, involuntary eye movements, vision impairment, and speech problems), scoliosis, diabetes, and heart failure. FA patients are affected differently by these…

There is nothing better than the feeling of the ocean air in my hair while I bask in the hot summer sun on a beautiful beach. I’ve just described my family’s happy place: Stone Harbor, New Jersey. We look forward to spending a weeklong vacation here every year. As a…

It is hard to believe that July has come and gone, and that the summer season is officially coming to an end. In addition, my birthday month, August, has fast approached. This year, I will turn 29 years old. As I mentioned in my column…