It’s OK to feel your feelings, including the challenging ones
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.”…
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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Travel with a disability requires careful decisions and planning
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…
The risk of falling is always present with Friedreich’s ataxia
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…
With an FA diagnosis comes a new label, but what does it mean?
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…
When breaking my routine leads to a dampened spirit
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…
As an FA patient, what exactly do ‘progress’ and ‘progression’ mean?
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…
Fatigue management relies on careful planning, being intentional
Part of living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is battling relentless fatigue. If I feel energized at all, it is still a fraction of what I need to successfully tackle my day.
Managing reality, expectations, and hope with Friedreich’s ataxia
Dear friends have asked me how I’m doing a few times over the past few weeks, specifically concerning my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). Through their questions, I’ve realized that I’ve been so caught up…
Responding to unsolicited pity as someone with a disability
I recently had an unpleasant encounter with a stranger who was overflowing with pity regarding my disability. In the end, she questioned my abilities with what seemed to be judgment disguised as compassion. I…
