Name: Preston Lynch
Age: 33
Where do you call home? Victoria, Texas
What is a current goal you have with your education? I have a bachelors of science in interdisciplinary studies. My goal with my education is to be the best that I can be for myself. FA really helps me towards my goals because it gives me an extra layer of understanding and an increased level of thinking outside of the box.
Who do you live with? Currently, I am living by myself along with my cat. So if you come by my apartment, you will find me and Nike having a conversation.
What’s a typical day for you? I wake up, take my medicine, get dressed – even if it’s just putting on my shoes, I need to do something. Once I am dressed, I eat breakfast and then I am ready to log in online for work.
How long have you known you are living with FA? When and how were you diagnosed? I found out when I was 12 years old because I was super clumsy and I wasn’t growing out of it, so my grandma suggested I go get tested for anything.
Are there any others with FA in your family? I am the only golden child who has ever had FA.
Describe your transition from walking to using a wheelchair. My transition should have happened earlier than it did. I realize now that walking was super hard for me when I was 15 compared to using a wheelchair.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I go to a CrossFit gym to work out with a friend one day a week.
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? Outside of my apartment, I enjoy anything about water. I used to be a swimming coach, and I am still really invested in this world and I love to talk to people about it.
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Go ahead and take care of the minor inconveniences you go through when getting ready in the morning at night before bed. Like putting clothes in the places that you will be at when getting ready so you don’t have to march all over your apartment.
When FA gets you down, what do you do to feel better? I have a few really great friends who I make a point to talk to and keep up-to-date with. And when I’m in a bad mood, I can say everything to them and get it off my chest.
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? Living with FA has given me the unique ability to see things from multiple perspectives, and it helps me fix my problems both personally and with other people.
What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? I don’t know who said it but when I was younger, someone told me, “The greater the pain, the greater the relief.”
What is a piece of advice that someone with FA has given you that encourages and inspires you? It’s not over until you give up and stop smiling.
What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? FA has a great community. When you are feeling down and you feel like nobody will understand, reach out to somebody with FA.
What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? I want to jump in the pool and swim all of my old swim team races.
“I have FA but FA doesn’t have me.” What does this statement mean to you? I am so much more than just one label, and I will prove it to everyone.
How do you live your life in the face of adversity? You can either be sad about something and wallow in it, or you can recognize that something is difficult, say okay, and then still do it just to live your life and keep going.
Interview by
Alyx Holliday
Edited by
Noah Griffith