Name: André de Lucca Venturini
Age: 27
Where do you call home? Sao Paulo, Brazil
Education: Degree in business administration at Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (2013)
What is a typical day for you? I practice physical therapy, gym, use my blog to help people and occasionally go to meetings because next year I'm going to try entering in Camara de Sao Paulo as a "Vereador" to represent people with disabilities
How long have you known you are living with FA? Since a DNA test at 14
Are there any others with FA in your family? My cousin
Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. I started using wheelchair because I saw I needed independence, and it was the best decision I ever made.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? Workout at the gym and a lot of physical therapy
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I love to travel and go to the stadium support my team.
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Having a positive mentality
When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? I put in my head that everything happens for a reason
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? My family got to unite more and I learned to value the right things.
What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? Great battles are given to great warriors - Gandhi
What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? Nothing happens by chance, and there's nothing too bad that can't get worse.
What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? Hug my parents...
"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? Ataxia isn't bigger than us. I have a great quality of life besides the wheelchair. The secret is changing our mind with positive vibes.
Tell us a little more about you... Last year I received a message from a girl who said she decided not to commit suicide because she read my story of life, and I felt amazing.
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