Name: Henry Sykes
Age: I am 22
Where do you call home? Kent, United Kingdom
Education degree(s): I have qualifications in English, Mathematics, ICT, and a BTEC in Motorsport Engineering. I'm very interested in Social Media and provide consultancy for a number of local companies.
Who do you live with? I live with my parents, brother and his girlfriend.
What's a typical day for you? I'm contracted two days a week to assist a local landscaping supplier to help manage their website and online orders and general office work. I then assist other private clients with online advice and support.
How long have you known you are living with FA? After a long five year process of going through every single possible answer to what I had, I was finally diagnosed in February 2019.
Describe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. I started off with a walker when I started falling over a lot. Then more recently, I started just to use my wheelchair, as it's safer for me, with less possibility of hurting myself.
What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I use a pull-up bar and free weights to help my upper body and core strength. I am going to invest in a machine so I will be able to exercise my legs more.
Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I mainly play Xbox and chill at home, haha. I do like to get out and go shopping or see my friends.
What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Don't let your diagnosis get in the way of your life; you can still do what you want to do.
What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? I think you find out who your friends are.
What is the best advice YOU could give to a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? Don't hide it, tell all your friends and family and help them to understand.
What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment to FA is found? Take it!
"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? Life is a challenge for all of us. We all have to rise to it!
Tell us a little more about you....I'm interested in cars, girls, earning money, nice clothes, being successful.
