Thanks to my village, I don’t have to navigate FA life alone
I’m frequently asked how I handle the relentless progression of Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) with a smile on my face. My answer is simple: I don’t do it on my own. Without the support…
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
Accepting my reality with FA while striving for a better future
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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As my FA progresses, my mantra is ‘don’t worry about tomorrow’
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is progressively degenerative, and its reach is far and wide. What started as trouble staying on my feet during sand volleyball matches became an inability to walk unassisted 10 years…
Happy 7th anniversary to ‘My Darling Disability’
This week marks the seventh anniversary of writing for Friedreich’s Ataxia News under the banner of “My Darling Disability.” I’m humbled by the thought that my words have impacted even one life in the…
Anticipating the storms of 2025, when I’ll be using a wheelchair
As I begin 2025, all of my planning, expectations, projects, and so forth are through the lens of this awareness: This is the year I’ll start using a wheelchair full time. Knowing this…
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…
It’s time to get myself out of a rut and face FA head-on
Have you ever found yourself in a rut? That can happen in most areas of life, such as cooking the same rotation of meals, rewatching your favorite movie or TV show, wearing the same…
Choosing to appreciate the now instead of stressing over the future
In my journey with progressive Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), I battle a wide array of symptoms. While increasingly poor balance seems to be my most disruptive and frustrating symptom, it’s not the one that…
How I continue to adapt to life with my ‘darling disability’
I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) at the age of 25. What led me to that diagnosis was a quest for answers about why I was losing my athletic abilities. I was…
Teachable moments I encounter as a parent with FA
Life is full of teachable moments, which are opportunities to share one’s experience, wisdom, and advice. When I became a parent 10 years ago, I anticipated being confronted with countless such opportunities. But I…
