Author: Tony Trott
Ya know? As I was trying to come up with a topic for a blog for this coming month, l was trying to think of something timely. Mid-term elections? Hah; politics has no place on Happy on Wheels. Thanksgiving? Maybe, but it’s still nearly a month away. Halloween? It’s in a matter of days that’s true, but technically this is the November newsletter and Halloween is in October. I finally decided that I didn’t always need to be timely and that I could write about something that is important to me even if it is not timely!

Something that is important to me is living the best life possible. And that applies to ‘my’ life not ‘somebody else’s idea of my life.’ That is certainly not to say that somebody else’s ideas are always bad, but when you have a significant disability like me, autonomy and independence are pretty big deals. I would be lying if I said that physically I was the same as I’ve been for years. My disability (Friedreich’s Ataxia, FA) is progressive and over the years my independence decreases at a rate greater than people without FA.

So, when I think of my best life possible, what exactly does that mean for me? I know that I really enjoy cooking and preparing food tends to be a bit more forgiving when it comes to my physical abilities. Meals get more basic as my disability progresses, but I still enjoy the parts I am able to do. Another thing I enjoy and consider part of living the best life possible is watching sports live. I used to be a college basketball season ticket holder, I’ve been to the Final Four, I’ve been to a World Series game, a bunch of NFL, NBA, and NHL games, as well as other events.

I know I’ve been extremely fortunate to do all those things and I will always remember that and always be thankful for them and express gratitude.