Category

Overall Wellness
Living with Ataxia isn’t one big dramatic moment. Most days, it’s a collection of small adjustments that help me stay steady, safe, and able to move through the day without unnecessary stress. I’ve never been someone who uses a lot of gadgets or gear. If you asked me a few years ago what tools I...
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. The food, the football, the time with people you care about. What stays with me, though, is the meaning behind it. It’s one of the few days built around slowing down, taking a breath, and paying attention to what’s still good. Living with a rare condition...
Nutrition doesn’t cure neurological disease, but it can change the trajectory of health. Adapted from Dr. Dale Bredesen, Alzheimer’s researcher That line stayed with me the first time I read it. Because here’s the truth: I know nutrition won’t cure Ataxia. But if the choices I make at the table can support my brain, improve...
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...
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...
Part of the Steady Steps series What if the reason you’re always tired isn’t just your condition, but also what’s on your plate? Tired? It’s Not Always Just About Sleep. If you live with Ataxia or any long-term condition, chances are you’re familiar with fatigue that goes way beyond “I stayed up too late.” It’s...
This post is part of the Steady Steps Series: Real-life strategies for movement, planning, and living well with rare conditions. **Featuring a 7-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan for Beginners When you’re living with a rare or chronic condition, your body is already doing extra work. Add in inflammation, whether it’s visible or hidden, and the daily...
This post launches the Steady Steps series—a collection of grounded insights on life, disability financial planning , and resilience while living with Ataxia or navigating any rare condition. I don’t see many posts like this in Ataxia groups, and maybe that’s because it’s not as easy to talk about. It’s not a symptom, it’s not...
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. Maya Angelou We all know memory changes with age. Words slip away mid-sentence, names disappear, and sometimes your train of thought completely derails. It’s frustrating, and with a condition like Ataxia, even small changes can feel like something bigger...
Health isn’t always about what you fix. Sometimes, it’s about what you support We’re always told to follow our gut. However, that advice might be smarter than we realize, especially regarding brain health. Researchers are digging deeper into the gut-brain connection, and what they’re finding is both fascinating and hopeful. A recent scientific review out...
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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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