Name: Elsaid Younes
Age: 35
Where do you call home? I live in Cairo, Egypt.
Education degree(s): I hold a master’s degree in theoretical chemistry from Lund University in Sweden.
Who do you live with? I live with my family, and I am Single.
What’s a typical day for you? Staying at home on my computer.
How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed with FA in 2001.
Are there any others with FA in your family? My sister also has FA.
Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. I was walking independently until 2010, and then I decided to use a wheelchair to live alone and independently in Sweden. I succeeded to live in Sweden for four years.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I am just planning to see a physical therapist soon. (I went so many times to a physio clinic, but I could not continue because of my inability to visit the clinic more often.)
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I like chemistry, computer programming, electronic devices, watching football, reading stories, and listening to music.
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Sleeping well, doing any exercises continuously, and being optimistic are good tricks to make daily life easier.
When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? When FA gets me down, I type faster on the computer.
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? Do what I am able to do only, be polite to who helps you.
What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? “You’re strong enough to get this hard life.”
What is a piece of advice that someone with FA has given you that encourages and inspires you? I did not get any advice from any FAer as I did not know what Friedreich’s ataxia is.
What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? Live your life normally, be sportive, and be optimistic.
What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? I wish to do a lot of things regardless of the cure existence like doing a Ph.D. and traveling.
“I have FA, but FA doesn’t have me.” What does this statement mean to you? How do you live your life in the face of adversity? In the past, I was saying that to myself, for example: Although having FA and using a wheelchair, I was traveling, studying, and meeting people from different cultures, but now I am just staying home.
Tell us a little more about you….I feel I have to fight until I get love, success, and happiness! If you like to know more about me, you are welcome to visit my website & blog:
https://saidelkhot.pythonanywhere.com/
Interview by
Jakob Mitterhauser