Forum Replies Created

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    August 5, 2019 at 8:04 pm in reply to: More Protein- Good or Bad for FA?

    Agreed with Egan as well.

    I have been using GNC’s brand of mass gainer for about a year and a half. (I’m underweight, if you can believe that.)
    With a rigorous job and additional exercise, I’ve gained a noticeable amount of muscle in my torso and arms.

    It is equally important to adjust the rest of your diet. I’ve eliminated all dessert and fried items.
    No additional butter. No soft or energy drinks either. Replaced that with fruit, nuts, any other healthy item.

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    August 5, 2019 at 7:59 pm in reply to: Birthday’s with FA

    Happy Birthday, Frankie! (Belated or not.)
    I passed my 36th birthday several weeks ago.

    That being said, don’t allow yourself to believe that the best days don’t lie ahead!
    Friedreich’s Ataxia can take away your physical abilities – but it doesn’t have to take your joy too!

    Thank you for the articles that you have written and will write!
    You have an entire community of people supporting you no matter what the future has in store!

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    June 18, 2019 at 8:41 pm in reply to: Reason to Keep Going

    I want to see where this journey is heading. My life has gained significant momentum at this point, and I want to see how certain things will play out.

    Giving up or, at worst, committing suicide would not solve anything or bring closure any faster. Neither would it be inspirational to others – those affected by FA and those that aren’t.

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    June 18, 2019 at 8:32 pm in reply to: Needing structure in life

    In my opinion, structure is a good thing regardless of medical conditions and/or physical ability.

    For myself personally, I can work alone or with a group of people. It all depends on the task, time constraints, budget (if applicable), etc.

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    February 23, 2019 at 6:28 pm in reply to: Night Owl or Early Bird?

    Early bird. I wake up at 5:30 AM local time, Monday through Friday. I still work full time with about a 20-minute commute both direction.

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    February 16, 2019 at 1:22 pm in reply to: Awkward Questions from Family/Friends

    The most awkward exchange that I’ve had so far is teaching my cardiologist about FA.
    It feels a bit weird when the patient has to teach the doctor about a medical condition.
    Even more peculiar when the doctor acts both grateful and insulted that you know more about it than he does.

    (My first ataxia symptom was congestive heart failure on both sides of my heart. It happened about a decade
    before the human genome was mapped. FA wasn’t determined until over three decades later.)

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    February 16, 2019 at 1:12 pm in reply to: Valentines Day

    I agree with Jesus Rodriguez’s response. Love requires the other 364 days too. It should not be defined by a single officially recognized holiday or by whatever materialism the celebration promotes. February 14th is just another day on the calendar. (By the way, I’m single too – but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.)

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    February 16, 2019 at 1:06 pm in reply to: Honesty is the Best Policy on Social Media

    I don’t really devote as much time or emphasis to social media as I did in college. When I do post something it is usually to promote a positive mindset or something to make you think. I present Friedreich’s Ataxia posts in the same way. As an aside, I’m only on Facebook. Don’t have time for Twitter – and not photogenic enough for Instagram.

    I agree with your thoughts toward social media, Frankie.

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    January 31, 2019 at 8:31 pm in reply to: Being Diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia Made Me Doubt God

    I believe in God fully without question.

    Friedreich’s Ataxia is temporary and bound to this life. To allow it to paralyze hope for eternity would be a tragedy that I couldn’t fathom. To me, it is a physical problem. Nothing more. It is an enemy foot soldier (and thief) – not a giant.

    That being said, I know God has a plan to reveal His glory through this illness. The glory may not be for me to experience, and I am perfectly fine with that. My belief and faith in God is not based off of or proved by miracles alone.

  • Robert Rhodes

    Member
    June 19, 2019 at 8:43 pm in reply to: Reason to Keep Going

    Wonder is part of it. We are all bound by a medical condition that is rare. There are drawbacks, of course – but there are also unique advantages and experiences if we choose to see past the rough times. It is our strength and curiosity to see what lies around each corner that inspires others that don’t have FA.