Name: Morgan Talevich
Age: 33
Where do you call home? Opelousas, Louisiana
Education: College. Certified in billing and coding.
Who do you live with? I live with my husband and three children. I am a stay at home mom and routinely go to the gym twice a week and physical therapy and occupational therapy twice a week.
How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed at age six due to the fact that my older brother was diagnosed with FA and the doctors said it ran in the family and I should get tested as well.
Are there others in your family with FA? Yes , my older brother has FA.
Describe an adaptation and/or transition you have had to take due to living with FA. All I can say is very unwillingly. But I look back now and I see the thing that made me feel so helpless has actually gained me so much independence.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? My husband and my kids keep me emotionally stable (that is kind of an oxymoron, I know) and I really enjoy exercising with my personal trainer and riding my recumbent bike.
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I enjoy living vicariously through my children, camping, and fishing. 🙂
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Tricks I use to make daily life easier would be to get a spit bowl instead of bending over to get to the sink, using a cup with a straw and handle, and always pour your peanuts in a cup instead of eating them out of the bag.
When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? When FA gets me down, what I think about every time is everything I have been blessed with even through FA! This is why I always, always, always read Christian based books.
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? FA has positively affected my life by showing me that God always has a reason behind everything He does and to see the silver lining in every situation. No matter how much ugly there is in the world, there is so much more good.
What piece of advice that someone with FA has given you that encourages and inspires you? Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. To never give up, never lose faith, and to keep fighting.
What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? To stay as active and as flexible as you can. Do not let other people’s opinions of you affect your opinion of yourself.
What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? Try out for The Voice and sing my heart out.
“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? That statement means to me that I have FA but there is so much more to me and my story and that’s what matters the most!
Interview by
Jamie Plourde