Kendall Harvey is a wife and mother of two in Austin, Texas. She has been navigating life with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) since her diagnosis in 2013 at the age of 25. She worked in marketing before “retiring” to be a stay-at-home-mom. She is an optimistic warrior fighting for a better future free of FA. Until that day comes, she aspires to inspire others with her column by detailing personal life lessons about grit and grace. Kendall shares a message of hope despite disability.So much of living with a progressive, lifelong disease like Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is mentally processing and accepting the physical changes it brings. But with the widespread degeneration of my body and the…
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With Thanksgiving approaching, my family and I have been talking about what we’re thankful for. My 5-year-old daughter, Collins, is thankful for adorable things like her cat named Banana, our swimming pool, her school…
What do election years and Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) have in common? A lot more than you’d think. Let me explain. As I’m writing this column, it’s midterms election week, so it’s very front…
Battling a degenerative disease, especially one so rare that most people haven’t heard of it, can be a lonely journey. Even our closest friends and family members, who know us better than anyone, can…
The effects of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) are vicious, relentless, widespread, and undeniable. FA uses my own body to slowly defeat me physically. The disease has taken away so much from me and given…
This too shall pass? The human experience is such a beautifully complicated journey. We all learn, grow, develop opinions, follow tendencies, change, adapt, and change some more. One common catalyst that shapes who we…
In August 2013, months of questions, fears, and wild speculation came to a shocking conclusion. The changes to my body and abilities were explained: I had Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). The days, weeks, and…
Most of us have probably heard inspiring stories about “mom strength,” “superhuman strength,” or “hero strength.” This phenomenon, known as hysterical strength, refers to extraordinary displays of human strength, typically prompted by a…
I’ve always been an emotional person. I feel everything with great depth and have a long memory, and while I love to celebrate the good in life, I tend to be consumed by the…
I share my journey with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) openly, and I know that my sharing, coupled with my highly visible walker, puts a spotlight on my disability. However, I’ve had some…
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