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Coordination
The human voice is the organ of the soul. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Communication is an essential part of our human connection. It enables us to express our thoughts, emotions, and desires. However, for those of us in the Ataxia community, speaking can present a unique set of challenges. Some days, I wake up and my tongue feels 10...
Where I am and where I’m going Part 3 of 3 I am Friedreich’s Ataxia! It is not the disability that defines you Jim Abbot I have heard that quote a lot. This condition took a large amount of my identity since it wreaked havoc on my life. I would not say my life was...
After 25 years of living with a slowly progressive neurological condition, I came to the realization that I needed a reliable and more powerful means of getting around. In the home, I was okay, but I had to rely on others to do anything outside the house. Just moving around in my wheelchair or trike...
Georg is on the erg 6 days a week Part 2 of 3 My life did not change with the diagnosis of Friedreich’s ataxia. All in all, this was just a letter informing me solely about the name of the genetic coding error. An error in the cells of my body that led to ‘living...
Acupuncture:  proof that stabbing someone can make things better. Robert Southey Living with ataxia, a neurological disorder that affects coordination and balance, can be a daunting and challenging journey. However, among the various treatments available, acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for managing the symptoms of ataxia. This ancient Chinese practice, rooted in...
Where do you call home? Among the captivating stories that unfold here, the Story of Richard C Brown stands out. I live in a sleepy little Oxfordshire village in the UK. My Wife and I grew up nearby but lived and worked in Oxford and Birmingham before we moved back in 2013. Education – degree(s):...
Part 1 of 3A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA). This diagnosis changed my life significantly, my name is Georg Herdt and this is my life story FA is a rare, inherited, neurological disease that causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems. People with...
Take a moment throughout your day to focus on your breathing. Follow the inhale completely and smile through the exhale. Even a few minutes of mindful breathing can bring you peace. Barrie Davenport The Transformative Power of Mindful Breathing and Meditation Isn’t it all too easy to get swept up in a sea of responsibilities,...
What do you want to discuss? The effect of rowing (intense exercise) on FA Original MTC: curefa.org/meet-the-community/dr-georg-herdt Name: Dr. Georg Herdt Where do you call home? Oxford, UK Education: PhD in Architecture Some background:  I’ve been living with the knowledge of having FA for almost eight years now. One might think I got used to this life and I should...
“It doesn’t matter how old a son is. Even when he is big and strong, he is always a small boy for his mother.” Unknown Imagine being a parent and getting this news from your son.  I can’t remember the exact words that he said, but what I do remember is the word “Ataxia.” My...
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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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