Name: Emily Young
Age: 25
Where do you call home? Central Illinois
Education/Career: Bachelor’s and Master’s.
Who do you live with? 2 Roommates.
What’s a typical day for you? Going to work, I work in a hospital as an inpatient social worker.
How long have you known you are living with FA? 11 years.
Are there any others with FA in your family? No
Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. Honestly it was pretty typical. There was a lot I did not think about as far as accessibility in home and the PCA staff I would need to hire to help, but it’s all a learning experience I had to figure out.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I like doing household chores… i.e. laundry, dishes, etc.
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I like reading, being outside, with friends/family, and I love baseball.
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Getting lots of rest and COFFEE.
When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? Family and friends.
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? The AMAZING people I’ve met.
What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? “There is nothing false about Hope.”- Barack Obama
What is the best advice YOU could give a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? Do not think you are doing this alone, my friends/family/faith help me through every day. Life with FA can be overwhelming but taking it one day at a time is more manageable. Also, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!! It may just look different, but you can do anything you want. DREAM BIG!!
“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? How do you live your life in the face of adversity? To me, this quote reflects my daily perspectives because every day I have to fight FA and live my life to the fullest and know that my disability certainly does not define me.
Interview by
Noah Griffith