An Open Letter to My Parents
It’s one thing to go through a hardship yourself, but it’s another thing entirely to watch a hardship happen to a loved one. As a parent myself, I know how parents feel any pain and sadness that their children…
My Darling Disability
— Kendall Harvey
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.
Featured Post
It’s OK to find joy in the midst of hardships
Life isn’t easy for anyone. Every person must trudge through hardship and struggles. Whether it’s a temporary sadness like illness or injury, seasonal hardships like a breakup or career setbacks, or even battling a life-long progressive illness such as…
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Following These 3 Rules Enables Me to Live Well With FA
During actor André De Shields’ Tony Awards acceptance speech in 2019, he shared his three rules for his longevity: “One, surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming. Two, slowly is the fastest…
I Choose How to Respond to Friedreich’s Ataxia Challenges
There is no single way to handle challenges in life. What works for me might not work for you. And what worked for you last time might not work for you this time. I think…
Friedreich’s Ataxia Requires Regular Updates
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is not easy to navigate. Like any lifelong journey, it has difficult seasons, roadblocks, and the occasional smooth path when you get to set your cruise control. It has unexpected detours, expenses, learning opportunities, and…
Accepting Love, Even When Friedreich’s Ataxia Makes It Hard
Most of us have heard about the five love languages described by author Gary Chapman. Love languages are the ways that we show and receive love, and the concept is commonly used in relationship or premarital counseling. For…
Self-awareness Helps Me Navigate the Unexpected
Since I began my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) journey in 2013, expectations have become a huge part of my life. Before my diagnosis, I had never even heard of FA, let alone expected to engage in a lifelong battle…
My FA Status Update: It’s Complicated
I had a wonderful childhood, yet I knew how hard my parents worked to make that happen. So, when I became a grown-up, I felt like I had fairly realistic expectations. I planned on working hard and living…
I’ll Live With the Pity of Strangers and the Love of Loved Ones
I often think about the pity that is expressed to people with disabilities — people like me. I am an obviously disabled young woman, and my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is on full display, making me a regular recipient…
The Balancing Act of Friedreich’s Ataxia
I saw a meme a couple of months ago that said, “I can either do a morning activity or an evening activity — I am too tired for both.” I shared it with my friends, and we giggled because…
