Marzia Name: Marzia

Age: 28

Where do you call home? I am Afghan refugee and I live in Mashhad, Iran.

Who do you live with? With my older parents and also my patient siblings.

What's a typical day for you? I use my wheelchair and go to my classes.
How long have you known you are living with FA? When and how were you diagnosed? I had some symptoms of the disease before I was 18 years old but it got serious about 10 years ago, I’ve used a wheelchair for the last three years. It’s about one year that I’ve used an electronic wheelchair.

Are there any others with FA in your family? Yes two brothers and one sister.

What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I do Yoga practice.

Marzia Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I read books and stories, exercise, and sometimes I do intellectual painting.

What is a good trick to make daily life easier? I talk in a mirror with myself.

When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? I do Yoga exercises.

What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? It makes me feel more powerful to fight for my dreams.

What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? It is something of mine: Be the best of yourself in life.

What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? I would say make friend with people who are like you.

What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? I will help people like me, people with disabilities and poor people.

Marzia"I have FA but FA doesn't have me." What does this statement mean to you? Because I could walk until 18 I never thought someday I would need a walker or wheelchair but now I have to prepare myself for big problems in life.

How do you live your life in the face of adversity? I feel alone must of times when I have a problem, I wish I had more power to overcome those alone.

Tell us a little more about you... Despite my situation and problems I am an ambitious person, I want to travel around the world, I want to be a big journalist, I want to be a famous writer and I have a lot in my mind. I work hard to make my dreams and aims, happen.



Interviewed by
Interviewed by Jamie Plourde