Tough circumstances complicated by FA don’t equal a bad life

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is hard. Its symptoms are far-reaching and its progression can feel relentless and inescapable. When you give it the power, FA can make good or mundane days feel bad, and make bad days feel like the worst.

I notice that when I view life through the lens of FA, it seems harder, more complicated, and worse than it objectively is. Yet, when I don’t make FA the foundation of my mindset, but rather just another factor in my day, I breathe easier and feel more capable of thriving. Life seems easier when I don’t start from a position of being defeated by FA.

When I focus on the difficulties that FA brings into my life, every other obstacle, hiccup, or hardship makes me think, “Ugh, I already have to deal with FA, and now this! It’s so unfair and just too much.” It is a self-imposed victim mindset that makes achieving situational success seem difficult.

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Have you ever heard the sentiment, “A bad day doesn’t equal a bad life”? I’m not sure where that idea originated, but I’ve heard many iterations of it throughout my life. It is such a convicting statement that it makes me pause to reevaluate my tendency to be dramatic about difficulties. Still, I’d like to pen an FA version: “Bad circumstances that are complicated by FA don’t equal a bad life.”

Moving FA to the background

FA is a rough baseline; I can’t deny that. It zaps my energy and abilities, and some days just seem physically harder than others. That is the nature of a progressive and degenerative condition like FA.

But when I acknowledge the daily difficulties of FA, accept them, and do what I can to accommodate them, this disease moves to the background. FA and its many symptoms don’t have to be the gatekeeping troll on every bridge I cross in my quest to achieve productivity, fulfillment, peace, or happiness. FA doesn’t have to be the main thing.

Yes, being dependent on mobility aids can feel like a bad thing. Dealing with the flu, career changes, injury, disappointment, financial setbacks, relationship drama, or any other challenges in addition to FA can lead to bad days. But that doesn’t have to equal a bad life.

I am not promised an easier existence because I have FA. It’s not like a “get out of jail free” card where I can bypass hardship just because I also happen to have FA. The disease is just another factor in my life — another thing I need to think about daily and handle responsibly.

Bad circumstances that get complicated by FA don’t equal a bad life. They are simply opportunities to adapt, learn, grow, improve, and change.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.