Hello! My name is Brendan Halverson, I am 18 years old and live in Battle Creek, Michigan. I just graduated high school and am now beginning life as a college student at Kellogg Community College. I'm planning to study biochemistry and eventually help research FA.
When I was 10 years old, my parents noticed my abnormal walking and took me to the doctor, where I tested positive for Friedreich's Ataxia. I have had to make many adjustments because of this. In 2016, I had a spinal fusion which took me off my feet for a month, but I'm a fighter and bounced back. I have also transitioned from walking to using a walker, to now using a wheelchair.
After I was diagnosed, I took a trip to Philadelphia and met others with FA and they told me about their lives. I realized there was so much I could do to help find a cure even outside of a lab. It was at this time when I decided I wanted to be a FARA ambassador!
Being an ambassador opened the door for me to new people. I've met many people with FA and they tell me how they live and share strategies to make life easier. Now I'm traveling the country and building relationships within the FA community. FA is frustrating at times, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet amazing people!
