Please wait while your page loads ...
FARA
Cure FA
Meet the CommunityYou 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.
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.
Name: Kim Ayres
Age: 49
Where do you call home? Maple Grove, MN
Education degree(s): 2 Year Associates Degree
Who do you live with? I live with my husband Bob. Our 3 kids are now young adults. Gunnar is 24, Carson is 23 and Madison is 21.
How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed in 2011 but showed signs as early as 2004.
Are there any others with FA in your family? Yes, my younger brother Bill.
Add a comment
Name Carrie Bolinger
Age 38
Where do you call home? Eastern Colorado
Education degree: I have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting.
Who do you live with? I am single and live by myself.
What's a typical day for you? I usually go swimming in the mornings at 5:30 am, and then off to work for 8 hours. After work, I usually, go hang out with friends, relax on the couch, or work part-time jobs.
How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed in July 2017 after seeing my balance declining.
Add a comment
Name: Barbie
Age: 21
Where do you call home? I live in upstate NY.
Education degree(s) I plan on starting school in the fall.
Who do you live with? I am single and live by myself.
How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed in 2014.
Are there any others with FA in your family? I have a younger brother with FA.
Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. Like most people, I resisted the use of any assistive device. I currently use a walker and wheelchair.
Add a comment
Name: Gracie Boudreaux
Age: 17
Where do you call home? South Louisiana
Education degree(s): After I graduate high school next year, I want to study mathematics.
Who do you live with? I live with my dad, my sister, my cat, and my dog.
How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed with FA at 11 years old. When I was 9 my general doctor noticed a heart murmur and I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. After that we noticed that I was having trouble walking so I saw a neurologist, who found my FA.
Add a comment
Name Dawson Ryker Swaney
Age 15
Where do you call home? Pendleton SC, "where the blue ridge mountains yawn its greatness and the tigers play." I live in one town over from Clemson University, National Football Champions.
Education: 10th grade
Who do you live with? I live with my parents, sister and my 3 lizards (Taz, bearded dragon, Flash, a leopard gecko, and Speck, veiled Chameleon). I also have my service dog, Otis, my sister's service dog, Piper and our family miniature poodle, Bear.
What is a typical day for you? A typical day is high school followed by Crossfit.
Add a comment
Archived in
2019 (68)
2018 (103)
2017 (65)
2016 (64)
Meet the FARA
Meet the FARA Ambassabors
Latest From
