Awareness Archives - Michaelmantz

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Awareness

Awareness Is the Floor, Not the Ceiling

Michael MantzSeptember 25, 2026Ataxia Awareness, My Story, Resilient Voices

What actually changes in your life the day after someone becomes aware of it? I’ve been thinking about that question lately. International Ataxia Awareness Day is coming up, so many of us in the Ataxia community will spend the day doing exactly what the name suggests. We’ll share our stories and try to explain a...

What Happens When We Actually Give a Sh*t

Michael MantzSeptember 2, 2025Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

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...

A Life-Changing Partnership: Considering a Service Dog for Ataxia

Michael MantzApril 8, 2025Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Living with Ataxia can make challenges with mobility and independence feel overwhelming. However, Ellie Martin shares in her insightful article that a service dog can be a transformative companion. Service dogs offer many benefits that extend far beyond their well-known roles. Finding the Right Match The first step in deciding whether a service dog is...

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,...

Rare Disease Day – February 29, 2024

Michael MantzFebruary 23, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Rare Disease Day: An Insight into SDG Resources and Global Awareness Initiatives Rare Disease Day is an annual global event that brings attention to rare diseases and the millions of people affected by them. It is held on the last day of February, with the primary aim of raising awareness among the general public, healthcare...

Athletes Team Up to Tackle Ataxia: National Ataxia Foundation’s NIL Campaign

Michael MantzFebruary 5, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) is breaking new ground in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships. With a focus on raising awareness and funds for a rare neurodegenerative disease known as Ataxia. Athletes from the University of Minnesota, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and the University of Miami have joined forces to support research...

Krystal Schulze: Navigating Life’s Curveballs with Acquired Ataxia

Michael MantzJanuary 12, 2024Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Let’s meet Krystal Schulze, whose journey with Ataxia took an unexpected turn due to a brain tumor. Discovered during her high school years. Krystal shares her courageous story of resilience and adaptation as she navigates life with Acquired Cerebellar Ataxia (ACA). Diagnosed at the age of 18, Krystal’s life took a drastic turn as she...

From Ataxia Diagnosis to Motivational Speaking: Zoyeb’s Inspiring Journey

Michael MantzDecember 27, 2023Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Zoyeb Mohamed Zia’s life took a drastic turn when he was diagnosed with Ataxia during high school. Despite the initial challenges and uncertainty surrounding his condition, Zoyeb’s resilience and determination propelled him forward. Supported by his family, he pursued his education. And is now working as an Assistant Professor of Zoology, with plans to start...

Lisa Antonelli Cole’s Journey to Ataxia Diagnosis: Overcoming Misdiagnosis and Raising Awareness

Michael MantzNovember 11, 2023Ataxia Awareness, Resilient Voices

Lisa Antonelli Cole’s journey to an ataxia diagnosis was marked by years of misdiagnosis and frustration. After experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, lack of coordination, and imbalance for years, Lisa underwent a series of medical appointments, only to be dismissed with treatments for vertigo and chronic anxiety. It wasn’t until a cardiologist recommended she see...

Understanding Ataxia SCA 15

Michael MantzSeptember 5, 2023Ataxia Awareness, My Story

Population Estimate: Fewer than 1000 people in the U.S. have this disease. Imagine waking up one day and finding it increasingly difficult to control your movements. Simple tasks like walking, writing, or even eating become monumental challenges. This is the harsh reality for those living with ataxia, a group of neurological disorders that affect coordination...