Name: Zach Gault
Age: 28
Where do you call home? Raleigh, North Carolina
What degrees do you have from school? I have an associates degree.
Who do you live with? I currently live with my parents.
What’s a typical day for you? A normal day for me consists of eating breakfast and lunch, watching tv, playing xbox with my girlfriend and friends, and working out.
How long have you known you are living with FA? When and how were you diagnosed? I have known I’ve had FA for 13 years. I was diagnosed at 15.
Are there any others with FA in your family? Nobody else in my family has been diagnosed with FA.
Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. It was a pretty easy transition for me going from walking to wheelchair because my balance wasn’t the best. I only used my walker in the house, but I don’t anymore. My transition happened around COVID in 2020.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I go to the gym and workout at home to stay active. I just do typical workouts but nothing special.
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I love watching football and basketball. I am a big New Orleans Saints fan.
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? A good trick to make life easier is to drink coffee in the morning. It really wakes me up!
When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? When FA gets me down, I usually try to just relax and watch a tv show.
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? One way that FA has positively affected my life is by helping me mature faster. Also meeting so many new people.
What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? “If what you did yesterday seems big, You haven’t done anything today” – Lou Holtz
What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? Get connected with the FA community because it is awesome to feel more understood.
What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? Go for a walk.
“I have FA but FA doesn’t have me.” What does this statement mean to you? Just because I have FA doesn’t mean it should define or limit me.
How do you live your life in the face of adversity? Try to keep strong to lessen FA symptoms.
Did your diagnosis impact your friendships and relationships? If so, in what way? It made me less social at first. I had two good friends from middle school that I am still friends with today.
What do you wish the general public understood about FA or disabilities? Not everyday is the same schedule. Symptoms may be worse some days.
How long have you been into sports? How did you get interested in sports? Why is it important to you? My dad and brother are big into sports, so for me it’s been a while. It’s important to me because it provides excitement and entertainment for me.
What is your favorite movie or book? Invincible (movie)
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Anywhere where it is mostly warm because FA and the cold don’t go well together.
Are you a night owl or an early bird (do you prefer staying up late or waking up early)? I would say I’m more of a night owl.
Interview by
Mary Nadon Scott
Edited by
Noah Griffith