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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 uncle and their kids arrived at my house one Saturday. Our families got together almost every weekend…

In Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) care, we don’t really have treatment options. There are clinical trials taking place to work on treatments and hopefully one day, a cure. But until then, we are left at the mercy of this progressive, degenerative disease. Wow. That is heavy. And disheartening. The…

When you plan a destination or a weekend getaway, it is wise to make travel and transportation arrangements and detail an itinerary of what you will do while on your trip. However, when you have a disability, extra steps are involved in planning. My planning includes three components: plan in advance,…

Editor’s note: This post includes images of a bone break that may be disturbing to readers. For some time now, I’ve needed to use a walker (or another mobility aid). My physical therapist, Kelli, has been encouraging me to use my rollator around the house. It is…

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. I’ve never really sweated very much, but since I started regularly riding a recumbent tricycle, I’ve found…

I know that birthdays can be tough for some patients living with Friedreich’s ataxia. It can be a reminder of how much this disease keeps taking from us each year. I completely understand. It is hard not to get down on the things we still can or can’t do. However,…

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 heard from an online friend that his son died of complications from FA last year. A few…

My name is Christina Logan, and doctors diagnosed me with the rare neuromuscular disorder Friedreich’s ataxia at the age of 21. I grew up in Holland, Pennsylvania, with my dad, mom, sister (Catherine), and brother (Matthew). I was very active in the music community and participated in choir, the marching…

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 in ’97: hopping onto a swiveling chair at my dad’s workplace, logging on AOL before…

I often have conversations with others about the mindset and positive outlook I attained while dealing with this illness. Although I realize this may be temporary and my attitude might change — as it has before — I’ve truly recognized that there are low phases that I…

Birthdays used to be so fun for me. Now, though, they are just reminders that this disease is taking over my physicality slowly. While I have a positive attitude most of the time, I can’t help but think of my progression on each birthday since my diagnosis…

Last month was Mental Health Awareness Month, so I thought this might be a good time to discuss this issue head-on. Some days can be harder — way harder — than others. Every single person on earth has problems and horrible situations they deal with throughout their…