9 years ago today, my friends and I won the sand volleyball championship! What you can't see in this picture is that this season of sand volleyball is where I realized that something was not right with my body. For over a month, I had been perusing medical answers about my failing balance and coordination.
A few months after this photo was taken, I would learn that I had Friedreich's ataxia (FA.) I share this to remind you of a couple of things:
1. Be your own advocate. Only you know how you feel, and only you can determine what your “normal” is. It takes strength to speak up and there is no shame in seeking or accepting help. 2. Enjoy the little things, even when times are crazy. “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Albus Dumbledore 3. Be kind to everyone because you never know what is going on in someone's life.
I try not to dwell on the past and wish my reality away (because that doesn’t help me make TODAY its best day) but man, I wish I could run around and play another game of sand volleyball with this amazing group of friends again.