How a different perspective offers lessons to learn
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) can feel incredibly isolating. I’m fairly certain that rings true for most people going through life with a rare disease. Because FA is so rare, affecting only about 1…
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
Substitute teaching is a chance to educate children about disability
Here in the United States, fall is back-to-school season — something I’m very aware of as the mom of two elementary-age children. This year, the logistics of this season have looked different for…
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Tough circumstances complicated by FA don’t equal a bad life
Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is hard. Its symptoms are far-reaching and its progression can feel relentless and inescapable. When you give it the power, FA can make good or mundane days feel bad, and…
One of my biggest fears came true during a recent beach trip
Last week, my family and I were in Destin, Florida, for my 10-year-old son’s baseball tournament. We intentionally built in a substantial amount of time to play on the beach, swim, enjoy fun restaurants,…
Even when things aren’t perfect, there is still joy
I’m a firm believer that life should be celebrated. I love decorating the house for holidays, birthdays, the first or last day of school, and anything else that provides my family with an excuse…
How Friedreich’s ataxia fits into my summer goals
May is always a hectic month for my family. With school functions and class parties, youth sports, birthdays, Mother’s Day, and the approach of summer, life moves quickly this time of year. While part…
In life with mobility issues, what’s the best that could happen?
As I adapt to this new stage of my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) symptom progression — being 99% dependent on seated mobility aids when I’m away from the comfort and adaptive safety measures I…
Learning that life is about taking the good with the bad
Taking the good with the bad is a hard lesson to learn, but I’m realizing it’s imperative for approaching a healthy mindset when living with a steadily progressing disability. Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is…
The value in seeing each problem as an opportunity
It’s been a wild and busy season for my family. Springtime in my household is usually eventful because it’s filled with things that we all enjoy, and most days, I wouldn’t have it any…
With FA, I’m constantly asking what went right and what I learned
As I’ve often discussed, there is no handbook for living with a progressively degenerative condition like Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). However, there are good general rules of thumb that everyone can follow, such as…
