MollyLawson1Name: Molly Lawson

Age: 19

Where do you call home? Arizona

Education (degree(s): I'm sophomore in college and trying to get my doctorate degree

What is your relationship status? Who do you live with? I have been going out with my boyfriend for 7 months, but we don't live together. I live with three good girl friends by our college campus.

What's a typical day for you? My routine revolves around getting to class. I get up in the morning, get myself ready, and bus to school. My evening are more fun when I get to see my friends and go out.

How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed when I was 10. 

MollyLawson2Are there any others with FA in your family? I'm the only FA'er in my family.

Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. I can still walk but I use a walker. I tried my best to resist assistants as long as I could, but I broke my foot at 17 and couldn't walk without support after that. Now, I use my chair when I'm out and about and my walker at home.

What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? For seven years I went to physical therapy twice a week, but now I have started aquatic therapy.

Do you have any hobbies or special interests? My hobbies consistent of reading, crocheting, and going out to movies. In my spare time I volunteer with two different organizations, my local animal shelter called Ohana and with a disability pageant called Miss Sparkles.

What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Everyone has hard days where everything sucks, I have a good support team but more often than not I turned to my dog, Pip, when I need comfort.

When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? To stay positive, I've realized how much worse things can be, and I try not to beat myself up for the things I can't help. I've been raised with the philosophy deal with what you're dealt and be grateful for what you do have.

MollyLawson3What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? It has shown me who my true friends are. Which friends will stay up with me when I need them and do crazy stuff to help.

What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? Life is what you make it.

What is piece of advice that someone with FA has given you that encourages and inspires you? The best advice I was given from another person with FA was to online date, haha.

What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? The best advice I could give would be to breathe. Take a deep breath and look around, you may see things as bad, but think of how worse they could be.

What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? I would love to ballroom dance when a treatment and is found.

"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? Just to smile or to laugh. Every time this happens it's showing FA hasn't gotten to me. When facing adversity or an uncomfortable situation I either choose to ignore it or I act friendly and kind to them. Some people feel uncomfortable at first talking to me, but I just smile and be kind, and eventually they treat me like a regular person.

Tell us a little more about you…I'm just your typical strange, funny, assertive, awkward, kind, and passionate 19 year old.

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