Fighting FA - a Column by Frankie Perazzola

I recently adopted a mixed beagle and Chihuahua named Albert. He is 10 years old, and I got him from a local animal care organization. During the process of adopting him, I was excited and looked forward to my new position as a dog mom.

One of most difficult aspects of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is thinking I don’t deserve any good that comes my way. Being diagnosed with a progressive illness convinced my brain that I would never have the life I imagined. It wouldn’t be worth it to figure things out…

I was recently interviewed about my diagnostic journey. I am used to answering a lot of the questions but one stuck with me. It was a very simple ask: “Without mentioning Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), what do you do?” The thing is, almost every aspect of my life…

In my previous column, I announced I was becoming a certified personal trainer. I understand there may be curiosity around my decision. I also want to clarify things for future clients and for those who are curious about my approach. I hope to address some of those questions and…

One of the biggest lessons I have learned this year is to sit back and genuinely listen. I was usually the type to insert myself in situations that didn’t apply to me or just wait for the next opportunity to speak. I have realized that is detrimental to…

May is an exciting time for the FA community. It’s Friedreich’s Ataxia Awareness Month, a time for all of us who are affected to let our voices be heard! Additionally, May 16 is Friedreich’s Ataxia Awareness Day. Friedreich’s ataxia affects about one…

During this pandemic, one of my most important goals is to keep busy and throw in any available distractions. I need to keep my mind from dwelling in negativity. So many things can shove me into a negative rabbit hole so I’ve had to fight hard to stay…

In times like these, I wish I had superpowers or a magic wand to make everything better. The fear and panic caused by the coronavirus pandemic are taking a toll on me. I’ll admit, I didn’t view it as a serious matter until I went…

Thanks to Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), I have experienced the stress and turmoil of trying to hang on to strained friendships. After my diagnosis, friendships and romantic relationships were put to the test. It took me a long time to identify who was in my corner.

Mental health is a significant yet overlooked aspect of dealing with a chronic illness. While it may be taken into consideration, it’s not often treated with sufficient seriousness. Continual learning and adapting to a new way of living can be stressful. Losing relationships, adjusting…