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Ataxia
We live in a world that celebrates extremes. Scroll through social media and you’ll see dramatic before-and-after photos, stories of people climbing mountains against all odds, or ads promising overnight transformations. Those stories are inspiring, sure—but they also set a false expectation. They make it seem like progress has to be loud, obvious, and measurable...
Ever walk into a room and forget why you’re there? Now imagine that fog lasting all day. That’s what brain fog in Ataxia can feel like. I’ve been there. As my Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) has progressed, these moments have become more frequent. It’s like starting the day with your headlights dimmed — you can still...
“Oh no.” That’s all I had time to think as gravity took over. Time slowed in that way it did when you knew what was coming and there was nothing you could do to stop it. A millisecond stretched into forever, a slow-motion movie scene where the outcome was already written. I was six feet...
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...
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...
Science can only move forward if people are willing to share their voices. That’s what makes the Ataxia Gene Therapy Survey such an important opportunity. For once, the spotlight isn’t only on labs, data, or test tubes—it’s on you. The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) and Ataxia UK have launched a global survey to gather patient...
Resilience isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s just quietly trying again. I was born with something rare. Even though mine’s milder than what some people live with……… that doesn’t mean it’s easy. For years, I tried to keep it hidden—staying quiet and trying to look steady on the outside even when my body had other plans. 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...
You don’t rise above the stress. You learn to move with it – that changes everything.Michael Mantz Stress doesn’t wait for the right moment. It doesn’t care if your legs are stiff, your speech is slurred, or your energy is running on fumes. When you live with Ataxia, stress doesn’t just knock—it barges in, rearranges...
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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