Winter is Coming by Clare Sheeran
I was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia at the age of 44; I am now 46. This monthly blog is just my ramblings and musings on life with late-onset FA.
There has been a bit of a change in the weather, so this month I am starting to think about the coming winter months. My symptoms definitely worsen in cold weather, so I am a little paranoid about being cold! My neuro physio told me that the cold affects the nervous system of anyone, so it makes sense that my legs get a little stiffer, making walking more difficult, or that it takes longer to button up clothes, etc. It is also good to know this because it would be easy to believe that the condition is progressing rapidly—but I may get a bit better again in the warmer months!
It also sounds really strange to say this, but I find changing shoes very difficult. When it was warmer, I was wearing open sandals, but now it is time to get into socks and boots! Something about the positioning of the legs changing slightly makes it take a few days to get used to new shoes. Another small thing I used to take for granted!
I find it reassuring to know these things so that I can make allowances and adjustments.
