Resilient Voices Archives - Page 9 of 16

Acceptance Doesn’t Mean Resignation: Finding Your Way Through Life’s Challenges

Michael MantzSeptember 14, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Acceptance is not a sign of weakness; it’s a declaration of strength. It’s the courage to face reality and the wisdom to find a way forward. We’ve all faced moments where life feels like it’s throwing us a curveball. Whether it’s a health diagnosis, a significant life change, or just a series of tough breaks, it’s...

Embracing Resilience: Catherine’s Journey with Ataxia

Michael MantzSeptember 9, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Catherine Meredith’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Ataxia at the age of forty-nine, during her fifth year as a fourth-grade school teacher. Initially dismissing her symptoms as minor issues like a sore knee, Catherine’s journey with Ataxia began to unfold when she started experiencing difficulties with speech and walking. Despite...

Embracing Failure: A Powerful Mindset for Living with Ataxia

Michael MantzAugust 14, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. Winston Churchill Living with Ataxia is tough and can often feel overwhelming. The physical limitations, the unpredictability of symptoms, and the emotional toll can make even the simplest tasks seem frightening. But here’s the thing……. how you approach these challenges...

Join the Fight: Ataxia Advocacy Day 2024 – September 25th!

Michael MantzAugust 7, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Prepare for an exciting and impactful event—Ataxia Advocacy Day 2024 on September 25th! This event is a fantastic opportunity for us to unite, raise our voices, and advocate for those affected by Ataxia. What’s Happening on Advocacy Day? Ataxia Advocacy Day 2024 is about making our voices heard on Capitol Hill. You can meet with...

Navigating Life with a Disability: Embracing Hope and Positivity

Michael MantzJuly 30, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will Mahatma Gandhi Living with a disability brings many challenges, but it also offers opportunities for growth, resilience, and hope. It is important to focus on the positives and find ways to adapt and thrive despite the difficulties. Understanding Disabilities Many different types...

A Mother’s Journey: Navigating Ataxia Telangiectasia with Love and Resilience

Michael MantzJuly 12, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

In 1956, Josephine’s son was born healthy and seemingly normal. By nine months, he walked with assistance, and his language skills developed well, though speaking proved difficult. Frequent falls and coordination issues marked his early years. At 5, doctors discovered severe vision problems, and while glasses helped, his balance and coordination continued to worsen. His...

Ian’s Story: Living with Ataxia-Telangiectasia

Michael MantzJuly 11, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Ian, born in 1956, shares his life experiences with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), an autosomal recessive condition. At a young age, teachers noticed he fell more than other children, and at seven, he was misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy. Despite his challenges, Ian enjoyed his childhood, especially piano lessons, until spasms forced him to stop. At eleven, Ian...

Embracing Gratitude: Finding Joy in Life’s Little Blessings

Michael MantzJune 29, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer Perspective Changes Everything is how Lily Pierce feels…… Perspective means realizing that others’ life experiences may completely differ from ours. What we view as normal and what we expect depends on how we grew up, what we see around us,...

Faces of Ataxia: Yesenia Ramos’ Journey and Poetry

Michael MantzMay 21, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

At twenty-three, Yesenia Ramos from Edmond, Oklahoma, reflects on her life with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), a condition she was diagnosed with at the tender age of six. Her Mexican heritage is a significant source of pride, and she lives with her supportive parents and an older brother who also has FA. Yesenia’s path to diagnosis...

Wheelchairs are not Embarrassing!

Michael MantzMay 14, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

At least, they shouldn’t be. But here we are… Lily Pierce It’s sad when people limit their lives rather than use a mobility aid. Many feel embarrassed to rely on a walker or wheelchair due to societal stigma. At 19, Lily’s Friedreich’s Ataxia progressed, leading to frequent falls. After resisting, she finally bought a rollator...