My Darling Disability - a Column by Kendall Harvey

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) shook up my life in every way imaginable. I started to notice a loss of balance and coordination in early 2013, which resulted in a five-month diagnostic journey and then a diagnosis of FA that August. It’s fair to say that in those early days,…

For Thanksgiving break, my extended family rented a cabin in a small town in Oklahoma. It was a lovely week to unplug, unwind, play board games, laugh, go on adventures, and enjoy nature. We all agreed we must make the trip again and do it regularly. I truly loved getting…

My family and I are obsessed with the singer-songwriter Forrest Frank. His music is catchy, happy, positive, and full of bite-sized Biblical truths. We especially enjoy listening to his song “No L’s” before sporting events to remind ourselves that the outcome of a game is a matter of…

Life has not been easy lately. On top of the constant daily struggles with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) and its various symptoms that I must adapt my life to accommodate, hardship has surrounded my village. I fractured my femur in September and required surgical repairs. Our Great Dane, Hank,…

Yes, Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is hard. Yes, its widespread symptoms are always on my mind. When I am at social events, I am overwhelmingly aware of my disability and the lifestyle adaptations it demands. Despite all of that, it is not the only thing I am capable of discussing,…

As my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) symptoms have progressed, my abilities have deteriorated, forcing me to adapt. My progression has been fairly steady and predictable, all things considered. Except for temporary circumstances like injury or illness, I usually know what the next morning will bring, physically. When it became…

My son, Brooks, turns 11 this week. Birthdays tend to make me nostalgic, especially my children’s. As the day approaches, I reflect on the passing of time and the coming and going of phases. One of the most memorable phases of my parenting journey coincided with one of Brooks’…

Here in the United States, fall is back-to-school season — something I’m very aware of as the mom of two elementary-age children. This year, the logistics of this season have looked different for my family and me, thanks to our community. Because my balance has been deteriorating due to…

Last in a series. Read part one.  After a traumatic whirlwind of a day, a sleepless night, and surgery to repair my broken hip, I woke up in the postoperative room. That’s always disorienting because you have no clue how much time has passed, how the surgery went, what…

First in a series. On Sept. 6, 2025, my worst fear happened. It felt inevitable. I am 100% dependent on mobility aids due to poor balance and coordination with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Around the house, I use a rollator walker, but when I’m out and about, I…