I'm Apolline, I'm 21 years old and I've got Friedreich's ataxia (FA). I know this after my 18th birthday and from that day forward I get to learn with my disorder.
But what is Friedreich's ataxia? In human language: it's a disorder that slowdowns and after a while stops the information who goes from your brains to your muscles. It starts with your balance, you triple a lot, fall over your own feet, but also your coordination goes more and more difficult. I've always been clumsy and now I know why. The chance you'll get diabetes is bigger and the last and worst is that it infact your heart.
How do you get Friedreich's ataxia? As for those who know what the word ataxia means, is it unnecessary to say that it's genetic. If your mother and your father both gave the mutated gene that causes FA and they give you that gene instead of the good one, than you've got FA. I explain it like it's a choice your parents make, it's not. No well thinking person would choice a child with the disorder over a healthy one.
How do you survive Friedreich's ataxia? How do you survive anything? I always think that it's not that bad. And it's not! Even if you have a terrible day, you must be thankfull for what you have. Why would a live with a disorder mean less than an other? It doesn't, it's still a life worth living!
