A Timeline of My Friedreich’s Ataxia Progression, Part 1
First in a series. As I continue my journey with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), I’m frequently asked questions such as: “How long have you been going to physical therapy?” “When did you start…
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
Anticipating the storms of 2025, when I’ll be using a wheelchair
As I begin 2025, all of my planning, expectations, projects, and so forth are through the lens of this awareness: This is the year I’ll start using a wheelchair full time. Knowing this…
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Considering Our Response to Living With Rare Medical Conditions
Many NFL fans around the world were shaken on Jan. 2, when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then, there has been…
Setting My Intentions for a New Year With Friedreich’s Ataxia
Happy New Year! I love to use January to reflect on the previous year and picture the possibilities for the new one. I won’t go so far as to set unattainable goals, but I…
Eating Humble Pie Helps Me Adjust My Perspective on Life With FA
I often write about perspective because I think it’s vitally important to intentionally maintain a healthy, well-rounded perspective when going through daily life with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA). FA is daunting and can quickly…
‘Don’t Stop Believin”: Finding the Magic in Life With FA
I am the proud mother of two darling young children. My son, Brooks, is 8, and my daughter, Collins, is 5. To make December even more magical, they still believe in Santa Claus.
Lessons From Apples and Oranges on Avoiding the Comparison Trap
Hardships are a part of the human experience. Everyone has gone through or is going through something they’d rather not face. We don’t get to choose the struggles we encounter; we can only choose…
Heading Into Thanksgiving With an Attitude of Gratitude
With Thanksgiving approaching, my family and I have been talking about what we’re thankful for. My 5-year-old daughter, Collins, is thankful for adorable things like her cat named Banana, our swimming pool, her school…
Parallels Between the 2022 Midterm Elections and Friedreich’s Ataxia
What do election years and Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) have in common? A lot more than you’d think. Let me explain. As I’m writing this column, it’s midterms election week, so it’s very front…
To My Community: Your Journey With Friedreich’s Ataxia Matters
Battling a degenerative disease, especially one so rare that most people haven’t heard of it, can be a lonely journey. Even our closest friends and family members, who know us better than anyone, can…
