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Movement Disorder
“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...
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...
Some Facebook posts scroll past you. Others stop you cold. I was mindlessly skimming through updates when I stumbled across an ataxia inspiration story that hit me in the chest. A guy named Sean Hevey wrote a post titled “Never Settle: Living With Ataxia on My Own Terms.” I don’t know Sean, but I connect...
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...
If you’re living with Ataxia—or know someone who is—you’ve probably heard some buzz about new treatments on the horizon. One of the biggest headlines lately is the progress of Troriluzole, a new drug from Biohaven that is currently under FDA priority review for Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA). (Read the official news release here.) Why am I...
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...
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...
Lily’s insightful article, “The Importance of Strength (Especially for the Physically Limited),” discusses something many of us can relate to—whether due to disability, age, or even a temporary injury. So, I wanted to share my thoughts on why building and maintaining strength is an essential activity for anyone with physical challenges. Our Bodies are Designed...
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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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