Saturday, 4/10 1-2 PM ET

Join the FARA Ambassadors for a hangout for teenagers, 13-19, with ataxia (of any form). FA Teen Hangouts are hour-long web-based hangouts. This is simply a place to meet and talk to other people who may be going through struggles and good times similar to you. (If you don't have ataxia, you are not allowed to participate in the hangout.) There will also be at least three adult FARA Ambassadors present. The adults will be there to help keep the conversation safe and going.

This month we will be talking about school. In some states kids are going back to school full time. Tell us what is going on for you! Are you happy or struggling with school right now? If it is hard for you, do you have ways of coping? We start at the topic, but just go with the flow of the discussion. So join us even if you don’t want to talk about school!

Join us to talk or just listen. We are sure you'll find you aren't alone! It is just a relaxed conversation…the theme gets us going, but we definitely don't stick to it! It isn't counseling.

Name: Megan Dewar

Age: 23

Where do you call home? Lekwungen Territory (Victoria, Canada).

Education/Career: I have recently completed a BA in Environmental Studies, a BA in Sociology, and a certificate in the Human Dimensions of Climate Change. Currently, I am excited to explore the intersection of art and disability while continuing education to become an art therapist.

Who do you live with? I live with my friends, who are also my roommates.

What’s a typical day for you? During the current pandemic and winter days, I spend most time in my home listening to music, doing art, writing for my blog, cooking with my roommates or going for drives. I feel most empowered through the process of creation, so I am constantly immersed in art, craft, and woodworking projects. Additionally, I enjoy contributing to mutual aid initiatives in my community, I currently volunteer and organize with a grassroots food security group and a radical bookshop.

My name is Cori, I‘m 35, and I live in the German part of Switzerland.

I was diagnosed when I was 16. My youngest brother had early symptoms, so they diagnosed him when he was 10. The doctors told to my parents it’s hereditary, so they tested my DNA too. I started to use a wheelchair 13 years ago. Twice a week I do physiotherapy, with home work-outs and Yoga too, I try to stay fit.

With the diagnosis of FA, my life changed a lot. I learned to accept and to enjoy life with ups and downs. With FA, life is not over. Any of us humans, have a backpack to carry; so keep carrying and smiling. I love traveling, surfing, cooking and yoga.

Name: Ana Clara Andrade

Age: 14

Where do you call home? I live in Heliopolis, in the northeast of the State of Bahia, Brazil

Education/Career: I am a ninth grader and my dream is to be an interior designer.

What’s a typical day for you? My mornings are reserved for my school classes. In the afternoon I do exercises. In my free time I enjoy painting and playing with my toys and games.