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.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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I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) at age 25. Because FA is so rare, my neurologist had limited information to share with me. I’d never heard of the disease I’d now be fighting for the rest…
When I explain Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) to people, I adjust my verbiage depending on who I’m talking to. If my children or their friends ask why I use a walker, I’ll explain that my legs don’t work very…
From the minute I wake up each morning, my disability and limitations are in my face, demanding attention, adaptation, and adjustment. In other words, I’m not allowed a moment of bliss when I can forget that I have…
On Aug. 19, 2013, my world was turned upside down as my five-month diagnostic journey came to a shocking conclusion: I had Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a cruel, progressively degenerative genetic disease I’d never even heard of. Some…
Last weekend, I did something for the 10th time that I never imagined doing even once. I signed up Team Kendall for the annual fundraising event rideATAXIA in the hopes that I can contribute enough to tip the…
Scrolling through Instagram recently, I was left teary-eyed and introspective when I happened upon one particular reel. It features an oft-used voice-over of a sweet older woman talking, set to pictures and videos of precious moments with…
I have yet to find the secret to living a life where I wake up every morning rejuvenated, motivated, perfectly calibrated, and ready to tackle my day with gusto. I don’t think anyone has, but it’s especially difficult when…
When I was young and, frankly, naive, I had a lot of misconceptions about people with disabilities. I thought that the only people who used walkers were senior citizens or those recovering from leg injuries. I also thought that…
As I approach the 10th anniversary of my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) diagnosis, I’m struck by an explosion of complicated and contradictory feelings. In August 2013, when I learned that the poor balance, fatigue, and slower speech I’d…
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