Hi everyone, I'm Breaunna Hoffman. I am from Pennsylvania. I'm 24 years old, and I was 15 when I was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia. Otherwise known as FA. I never really showed symptoms of FA growing up, except I was "clumsy." At 15, I developed severe scoliosis in my lower back. Doctors ran tests and diagnosed me with FA. Growing up I avidly played sports, so; I was in denial for years. I felt so alone until I was 19. I started using a cane to be more stabilized. At 22, I started using a rollator/walker, as much as I didn't want to be 22 in using a walker, it was a definite game-changer for me. It gave me so much freedom in my everyday life. It's allowed me to walk without having constant anxiety that I'm going to lose my balance and fall. Every day for me is different from the next. I watch my niece and nephew. I'm currently enrolling in a clinical trial for FA, & I'm also a FARA ambassador. I became an ambassador because I find spreading awareness for FA is so important!! I enjoy spending time with family friends and my boyfriend. I love to travel and listening to music.

Name: Şeyma Öztürk

Age: 23 years old

Where do you call home? Denizli, Turkey

Education degree(s): Post Graduate Education/ Be an academician and being the first academic FA patients in Turkey.

Who do you live with? I'm single, no kids. I'm living with my family.

What's a typical day for you? I wake up, have breakfast, have a rest, watch the series on the computer, read books, sleep.

How long have you known you are living with FA? I was 12 years old, and under the control of a doctor at Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir, the tests were performed because they suspected FA.

Hello, my name is Elvis. I'm a personal trainer, a university student, and a FARA ambassador hailing from Sydney, Australia.

I was first diagnosed with FA back in October 2019 (I was 26) when it was confirmed with a genetic test but was given the general diagnosis of Ataxia in November of 2017.

Growing up, I had always felt different from the other kids. I was a bit clumsy and uncoordinated, but still a cheerful guy. I always took comments about my symptoms in my stride; until they started to become more pronounced and noticeable, and walking around had started to become increasingly difficult.

Name: Henry Sykes

Age: I am 22

Where do you call home? Kent, United Kingdom

Education degree(s): I have qualifications in English, Mathematics, ICT, and a BTEC in Motorsport Engineering. I'm very interested in Social Media and provide consultancy for a number of local companies.

Who do you live with? I live with my parents, brother and his girlfriend.

What's a typical day for you? I'm contracted two days a week to assist a local landscaping supplier to help manage their website and online orders and general office work. I then assist other private clients with online advice and support.