FA Is Taking Away My Ability to Write
Being a writer without the ability to write is a conundrum. I think about it often, especially when I write these columns. I never realized how much I wrote until that ability was slowly taken away. When I…
Fighting FA — Frankie Perazzola
Frankie lives with Friedreich’s ataxia in the city of Los Angeles, California. She writes about her life experiences as an independent 28-year-old woman dealing with rare neuromuscular disease. Frankie focuses on utilizing physical fitness and writing for Bionews as her main coping mechanisms for FA. Through her column, “Fighting FA,” she helps others with internal growth and self-acceptance.
Featured Post
I’ve Found Protein Powder Helpful in Managing My Daily Diet
Protein is necessary for the human body to stay healthy and function properly, regardless of whether you work out or not. According to the American Council on Exercise, “Protein is the principal component…
Read more
I Learned a Big Lesson from the Tiniest of People
We made it! A new decade is here, and the atmosphere seems a little fresher. For now, at least. I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and spent them however you wanted to, with or without family. My previous…
Sticking to New Year’s Resolutions
It’s the end of a decade and the beginning of a new year. At this time, many of us make New Year’s resolutions and set our goals for the year ahead. In the past, I have made resolutions…
I’m Done with Making Myself Feel Bad
It has always been a challenge for me to remain in the present. I frequently reminisce about the past and think about what I should have done. Does your brain remind you of your embarrassing moments when…
I Went to Italy and Left My Anxiety at Home
My anxiety kicks in when I go out. Between choosing an assistive device, worrying about the accessibility of the venue, and anticipating stares from others, it can be overwhelming. The anxiety is so debilitating at times…
Would I Recommend Traveling to Italy with FA?
My family and I recently took an incredible vacation to our motherland, Italy. We have talked about taking this trip since I was a kid, but never had the time or the money. Now that my parents…
Do You Put Off Doctors’ Appointments Due to Anxiety?
Scheduling my own doctors’ appointments was one of the biggest indications I was getting older. I remember how I felt when I first did it about age 18. I hung up the phone feeling so grown. From then on,…
An Open Letter to My Goddaughter, Lucia Grace
To my dearest Lucia, By the time you are able to read and understand this, I am not sure what Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) will have done to my body, so this is kind of my “insurance policy” of…
When a Girl Rolls into a Bar, She Hopes It’s Accessible
As a 27-year-old, I enjoy going out on the town with a couple of girlfriends. However, going out now takes a lot more effort than when I turned 21. When planning a night out, I assess my level of…
It’s Time to Revisit Self-accountability to Better Focus
I have been going back and forth about this column. But I think it’s important to show my readers and myself that I am being authentic, so here we go. Self-accountability is an everlasting process. Like cleaning out…
Birthdays Stir Mixed Emotions
My 27th birthday is this week and I don’t know how to feel about it. I am definitely not one of those people who dislikes getting older — yet. Until I was diagnosed, I always looked forward to birthdays. Now…
Learning to Accept My Progression and Grandma’s Gift of a Wheelchair
It was a beautiful, sunny day in Southern California, and I was out with my mom and my grandma. We usually get lunch in town and hang out for a while afterward. Shopping, running errands, or visiting someone at…
