TAKEN FROM CUREFA.ORG:

Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. About one in 50,000 people in the United States have Friedreich’s Ataxia.

FA affects each individual differently, so I can really only speak for myself and my experiences.  I was diagnosed at 18 after a couple of years of having trouble walking up and down the bleachers in my high school gym and anxiety walking in front of people– and not having a clue why.

Currently, I use a mobility scooter to get around, and a walker around my apartment. It’s a progressive disease, so over time, my symptoms will worsen. I simply get from point A to point B a little bit differently.

I do experience fatigue. I’ve developed my own strategies for dealing with the nagging need to want to curl up in bed and sleep.

There’s a list of other symptoms of FA, like diabetes, a shortened life expectancy, and cardiomyopathy, but I’m fortunate to not have to worry about those things.

There are always clinical trials and research going on.  There’s insurmountable hope for the FA community.

Visit CureFA.org for more information on Friedreich’s Ataxia.

I created my own line of merch; you can shop specifically for #cureFA items here.

xx,

Kelly