Living with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) changes many parts of your life. Over time, things that once felt easy can start to take more planning, more energy, or more patience. One of the hardest parts of FA that many people talk about is the feeling that your world is getting smaller. Maybe you used to love… Continue reading Keeping the Hobbies You Love With FA – From Travel to Gaming to Everyday Routines
Tag: Awareness
Workplace and School Accessibility Accommodations That Actually Help When Living With FA
Living with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) changes the way someone moves through school, work, and everyday life. It is a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects balance, coordination, speech, endurance, and fine motor skills. But having FA does not mean someone cannot succeed in school or build a meaningful career! What usually makes the biggest difference is… Continue reading Workplace and School Accessibility Accommodations That Actually Help When Living With FA
Protein-first Breakfast Swaps That Help Reduce Afternoon Energy Crashes and Cravings
People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Whether or not you think this is true, how you start your day does have a significant impact on how you feel and your energy levels later! Traditional breakfasts include foods like yogurt, bagels, cereal, eggs, and fruit. But did you know… Continue reading Protein-first Breakfast Swaps That Help Reduce Afternoon Energy Crashes and Cravings
What Helps When Alzheimer’s Causes Agitation, Confusion, or Anger in Your Loved One
Many caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s expect memory loss, but they are often surprised when their loved one gets agitated, confused, restless, angry, or even aggressive. These behavioral changes can be frightening! The good news is that these behaviors usually happen for a reason. Understanding why they occur can help you respond more effectively and… Continue reading What Helps When Alzheimer’s Causes Agitation, Confusion, or Anger in Your Loved One
How Improving Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Habits Can Support Blood Pressure, Weight, and Heart Health
When people think about their heart health, they usually focus on two areas: eating better and exercising more. These habits are important, butthey are only part of the picture. For people who have cardiometabolic health conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease, sleep, stress, and recovery habits are often… Continue reading How Improving Sleep, Stress, and Recovery Habits Can Support Blood Pressure, Weight, and Heart Health
How Depression Affects Communication and Relationships – And Small Ways to Reduce Isolation
Depression is often described as a condition that affects mood, energy, and motivation. While those symptoms are very real, depression also has another powerful effect that is sometimes overlooked. It can change the way people connect, communicate, and build relationships. Relationships play an important role in emotional well-being. When depression interferes with this, it can… Continue reading How Depression Affects Communication and Relationships – And Small Ways to Reduce Isolation
Managing the Mental Exhaustion of Constantly Adapting to Life With FA
Have you felt the constant wear of having to change parts of your life to fit with your new normal? Friedreich’s Ataxia can do that. Over time, the mental and physical exhaustion that comes with adapting to a chronic health condition can get to anyone! There is no shame in it, and for better or… Continue reading Managing the Mental Exhaustion of Constantly Adapting to Life With FA
How to Stay Social and Keep Doing What You Love With FA
How do you stay connected to the people and things you love as you navigate the changes that come with Friedreich’s Ataxia? FA changes how your body moves, how quickly you fatigue, how you navigate public spaces, and sometimes even how you see yourself. Things that once were effortless can get harder, more exhausting, or… Continue reading How to Stay Social and Keep Doing What You Love With FA
Low-effort Meals, Adaptive Cooking, and Eating Well with Limited Energy
Friedreich’s Ataxia leads to changes in strength, balance and energy levels. Things that once felt routine or automatic for mealtimes, like standing at the stove watching something simmer or chopping vegetables, can become difficult! Eating well with FA does not take perfection. There are things that you can do to cook smarter and build out… Continue reading Low-effort Meals, Adaptive Cooking, and Eating Well with Limited Energy
Small Adjustments That Make Daily Life Easier with FA
From the very start, a Friedreich’s Ataxia diagnosis means making changes. As a condition it will affect how you move, talk, your ability to work and go to school. What our members have found is that there are a number of small adjustments you can make that go a long way in helping save energy… Continue reading Small Adjustments That Make Daily Life Easier with FA