
Louisiana native Matt Lafleur’s life today isn’t what he expected back when he was an active Cajun boy. After he was diagnosed in 1994 with Friedreich’s ataxia, a slowly debilitating disorder with no treatment at the time, he more or less lost hope. Despite his hopelessness, he achieved degrees in English and in mental health counseling. Writing this column at Friedreich’s Ataxia News and serving as the culture coordinator of its parent company, BioNews, combines his two degrees perfectly. Maybe he’s not quite as hopeless as he thought. In progressive disability, Matt tries to notice his little victories, hoping that others notice their own … or something like that.