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Disability
Living with Ataxia isn’t easy, and no one knows this better than Martha Harlam.  Diagnosed with this progressive neurological disorder in 1988 at the age of 38, Martha’s life took a drastic turn. Now, at 69, she reflects on the challenges, losses, and unexpected blessings that have shaped her journey over the years. Martha’s story...
Hello! My name is Elise, I am a 34-year-old Canadian woman living on the Montreal South Shore. Also with me is my eight-year-old cat Kenji. I am a disabled freelance language professional: translating, editing, proofreading, beta-reading, I do it all, in both French and English! In my free time, I love reading, writing, and watching...
Living with a disability can feel like constantly adjusting to an unpredictable rhythm. One day, things might go smoothly, and the next, a slight movement or step can result in a fall that sends everything into chaos. For anyone with mobility challenges, the experience of falling is a constant companion. It impacts our physical well-being...
Support dog are life-changing for disabled people lucky enough to have one – not just in the way most people think. Every year, for the last five years, I have led the ‘All About Ataxia’ workshop for newly diagnosed people at Ataxia UK’s National Conference. Amongst other things, we talk about support networks, and who...
Our kids are 10 and 5 this month. This is an update of a piece I wrote on how we made the difficult choice to become parents. My Wife and I had always wanted to have children together, we’d just never agreed exactly when. Parenthood is not for everyone, but having a family life is a...
After I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia at fifteen, I swore, and really believed, I would take my own life before using one. What triggered this reaction and what changed my mind? I grew up in the eighties, unaware of disability. In my family, my cousin was born with a harelip and cleft palette, but...
While raising a child with special needs can be a rewarding experience, it also presents unique financial challenges.  Parents of special needs children must plan for both the child’s current needs and future needs. Below, I want to discuss how to build a financial plan for special needs children. Understand the Disability The first step...
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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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