No Good Excuse — Sean Baumstark

hope, middle age

Sean Baumstark lives with Friedreich’s ataxia and embodies the mantra “get stuff done.” Sean ran his first 10k three weeks after being diagnosed in 2007. He believes excuses hold us back from being our best. He is the founder of de:terminence, a nonprofit helping disabled individuals experience the beauty and power of physical achievement. He is a subject in the documentary film, “The Ataxian,” which chronicles a four-man team competing in Race Across America. He co-hosts the weekly podcast, “Two Disabled Dudes,” which encourages listeners to “live beyond circumstances.” He lives and works in Sacramento, California.

Challenging myself to accept responsibility for my attitude

I can’t put my finger on exactly what triggered my recent musings about responsibility, but apparently, we can’t escape our thoughts. Trust me, I’ve tried. My last column focused on the heightened sense of responsibility I’ve learned to…