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Resilient Voices
How do you stay hopeful for tomorrow without losing today? That’s a question I’ve asked myself more than once while living with Ataxia. Hope is always there — in research updates, in conversations with others in the rare disease community, in the quiet thought that maybe tomorrow will be better than today. But here’s the...
Ever have one of those days where just getting out of bed feels like running a marathon? I know that feeling all too well. There are mornings when I open my eyes and already know my energy tank is on empty. My head feels heavy, my balance is shaky, and every step feels like I’m...
When most people think about posture, they picture a parent or teacher telling them to “sit up straight.” Everyone knows it’s important, but we rarely consider it until pain, fatigue, or balance issues remind us. For those living with Ataxia, posture isn’t just about appearance—it’s about movement, safety, and strength. And I’ll be honest: posture...
There’s a quiet strength in choosing your limits—and a louder courage in defending them. For those of us living with Ataxia or any rare condition, that choice isn’t optional. It’s essential. When you live with something invisible—something progressive, unpredictable, and essentially misunderstood- you become a translator. You constantly interpret your needs, gauge your limits, and...
Ever tried explaining why you can trip on flat ground, slur a word at dinner, and still feel ‘fine’? That’s Ataxia—unseen, misunderstood, and rarely simple to explain. Bringing it up isn’t simple, and it’s not something that slips easily into everyday conversation. For someone newly diagnosed—or even for those of us who’ve been living with...
What is “awareness,” really—and why does it matter? Awareness is a word we hear constantly. There are awareness months, campaigns, and ribbons. But awareness is more than hashtags or recognition days—it’s how we choose to see each other, how we respond when someone is struggling, and what we do in the ordinary, unpolished moments when...
Sometimes, it sneaks up on you. You clip a rug. Miss a curb you swear you saw. Stumble turning too quickly. You laugh it off, blame it on needing coffee, and move on. But then—it keeps happening. If you’ve ever stopped mid-step and thought, “Why am I tripping so much lately?” you’re not overthinking it....
This post is part of the Steady Steps series and is about gentle movement for coordination—something that’s helped me stay grounded, especially while living with Ataxia. You won’t see these moves trending on social media. But they’ve helped me stay grounded—literally. This isn’t about competition. It’s about building strength, protecting function, and staying just a...
When you’re navigating exercise with Ataxia, it’s not about perfection—it’s about possibility. Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.— Naeem Callaway A few months ago, I asked my physical therapist something that had been on my mind for a while: “Is it possible to gain...
Part of the Resilient Voices series — honest stories and perspectives on living with Ataxia and beyond. What happens when someone in the spotlight shares exactly what no one expects? That’s what happened when Bachelor Australia alum Megan Marx opened up about living with a rare neurological condition called spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA6). At 33, she...
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My purpose

michael mantz
Life rarely goes as planned. This blog is about navigating what actually happens – major disruptions, health challenges, and the quieter work of figuring out who you are through all of it. I write from inside that process. I have Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA 15), a rare neurological condition that shapes my perspective but doesn’t define this space. Some articles are personal. Some are practical. All of them are honest.

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