My Darling Disability
— Kendall Harvey

The Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) transition I have dreaded for over a decade is approaching, and I am beyond overwhelmed. Despite my best efforts, adaptations, precautions, hopes, fears, and routines, I think the transition to a wheelchair is…

I’ve heard and read so much about the topic of fear, yet I still wrestle every day with my own fears related to Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). I fear for both my present and my future. I’m afraid of…

Like many Americans, I recently got caught up in the Netflix docuseries “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.” I love it for several reasons, but mostly because I’m from Texas and have a cheerleading background. Before Friedreich’s…

I’ve noticed that one-liner advice tends to stick with me, such as “Treat others how you want to be treated” or “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I’m sure I’m not alone…

As with most vacations, I knew I’d be in for a lot of walking when we took our children to Boston this summer. That meant I had to think about which mobility aid I should bring after considering…

Stumbles, accidents, and falls come with the territory of many physical disabilities, especially ones like Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) that impair balance and coordination. Although my falls have become less frequent since I was outfitted with the necessary…

I knew in my bones that something wasn’t right with my body. I wanted nothing more than to find out what was happening, understand why it was happening, and learn what I could do to stop it. In 2013,…

I don’t know if it’s self-preservation or just my personality, but I’ve become quite the creature of habit. Lately I’ve noticed that when I’m separated from my habits, I either thrive or shut down. Breaking my routine and…

Now that I’ve lived with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) for a decade, I’ve found that I get into the habit of explaining my journey in bullet points to those who ask. I frequently describe my situation by saying such…