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.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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The decade that I’ve been living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) has been full of unanticipated highs and lows. It has also been full of chaos, monotony, blood, sweat, tears, laughter, praying,…
I’m often asked to share my perspective about the future as a progressively disabled woman with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). The question always makes me ramble on with a series of contradictory thoughts…
I’m not shy about my Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) diagnosis and how it’s affected my life. I share all of the twists and turns of my FA journey openly, all in the name…
When I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), I was obsessed with gathering research and other information to arm myself with anything that might prepare me or give me a slight advantage…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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