I have been living here about seven years now and grew up in Dayton, Ohio. I was not diagnosed with FA for 12 years from when I first started seeing Neurologists when I was 18. I have always been independent and moved out of my parents' house when I was 18 and worked two jobs. Therefore, my family never really went to any doctor appointments with me nor ask me many questions about them. Besides, at the time we mostly all lived in different states.
It all started with lack of balance and on to limping and so forth. Doctors had absolutely no idea what was wrong with me for nine years, this was after six neurologists! I was considered the "rebel" kid in my family...going to clubs, drinking at an early age, and part of the goth club scene. I LOVED dancing!! Lucky, being a club girl, most my friends sadly thought I was a drunk and I let them believe that. It was easier to say that I was drunk than to explain that I had no clue why my legs were deteriorating on me.
So I moved to Florida (where there is no snow and ice to fall on when I had a cane) and a Neurologist misdiagnosed me. It was another no cure, no treatment deal so I did not see another doctor for over three years. Then I went to the University of Cincinnati to meet a new neurologist and right away she guessed that I had Friedreich's Ataxia.