Leave Your Comfort Zone: Traveling with FA

Since my Friedreich’s Ataxia diagnosis in 2019, I’ve been connecting with other people around the world living with FA. Since FA is a rare disease, many of the people I connect with live hundreds, even thousands of miles away. For me, sharing similar experiences with other FAers helps me cope and reminds me that I’m not alone in this fight.

A few months ago, I had a realization that I don’t need to solely rely on social media to connect with my FA friends—I can go see them in person, and make a fun trip out of it! I asked four of my closest friends with FA (or other types of ataxia), all women in their 20s, if they’d like to meet up. We decided to travel to Austin, Texas to spend a long weekend together.

Traveling with FA, let alone any mobility condition, can be a struggle. It requires a lot of energy, patience, and accommodations that most able-bodied people don’t have to think about. I am especially proud of those of us that flew to Austin, because that takes so much bravery and strength.

Throughout our time in Austin, we had a pool day, went shopping, and visited a gorgeous restaurant that overlooked Lake Travis. We talked for hours and shared SO many laughs! I felt like I had met my forever friends.

It was so refreshing to share our stories, which were all very different, even though we experience similar struggles. It was validating to see others struggle in the same way I do every day.

This trip reminded me of the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. I was nervous about planning a trip like this, especially with people I had never met in person. I was also concerned that our disabilities would be too much of an obstacle for us, but we took the risk and pushed through (we had wonderful help from able-bodied friends, too).

I left the trip with a more positive perspective on life: it’s short, so it’s crucial to make as many meaningful connections as possible and don’t let fears or hesitations hold you back. The risk is so worth it!