Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance

Meet the Community

You are not alone. The entire FA community, also known as the FAmily, is taking this journey with you. Meet a few of our dynamic people with FA below. New Meet the Community interviews are posted every Monday, so be sure to visit often. Please e-mail info@curefa.org if you would like to be interviewed for a Meet the Community post.

FARA Ambassadors

The FARA Ambassadors are a group of people living with FA who are committed to supporting FARA in the search for a treatment and cure. They represent the community by speaking at events, meeting pharmaceutical partners, giving media interviews, and more.

Meet the FAmily!

Hamilton Family

Name: Amelia Hamilton

Age: 10

Where do you call home? Ohio

Education: Grade 5

Who do you live with? I live with my mom, dad, my older sister, a cat and two bunnies.

What's a typical day for you? I love to sleep in! But most days I wake up earlier and if I get dressed, eat breakfast,and brush my teeth fast enough I get to play Super Mario with my parents before I get on the bus. I go to school where my favorite class is math and then come home, feed my bunnies, play, do my homework, go to the gym and then eat dinner while we watch the Great British Baking Show. Bedtime usually involves reading with my mom.

Hüseyin

Name: Hüseyin

Age: 34

Where do you call home? İzmir, Turkey

Education: I am graduated from University (bachelor degree).. In the future I want to educate for master in the field of financial mathematic. I guess FA will effect negatively going to university by myself, but I will never give up and I will have success with my goals both in school life and in my business life...

Who do you live with? I live with my older sister and my mother.

What's a typical day for you? I always go to my work office on weekdays, until 5 p.m.

Katherine O'Connor

Katherine O'Conner Name: Katherine O'Connor

Age: 30

Where do you call home? I live in an apartment near Boston

Education (degree(s): I have a bachelor's degree in engineering from MIT

Who do you live with? My boyfriend of 5 years

What's a typical day for you? I work in software, so I work from home most days, but occasionally get a ride into the office. Either way, I try to spend at least an hour a day moving my body in some way.

Andrea Kiess

Name: Andrea Kiess

Age: 44

Where do you call home? Wichita, Kansas

Education/degrees: Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy

What's a typical day for you? I usually go to the gym 3 times a week. Other days are spent going to appointments, running errands, and volunteering for FARA. Of course, I always make time to watch TV and hang out with family and friends!

Muhammad

Name: Muhammad

Age: 30

Where do you call home? Iran

Education (degree): Bachelor’s degree

Who do you live with? Parents

What's a typical day for you? I work at home and online in the Iranian stock market.
How long have you known you are living with FA? Sixteen. I noticed it due to imbalance.

Are there any others with FA in your family? No