Scott Armit Name: Scott Armit

Age: 32

Where do you call home? I’m from Scotland, just outside of Glasgow.

Education/Career: High School Standard grade.

Who do you live with? I’m currently still living with my parents but hoping to get my own place in the next few months.

What is a typical day for you? I like to go to the gym in the morning most days if not then go for a walk. My nephew comes in from nursery and we play the computer together then have dinner and watch Netflix.

 

 

How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed when I was 23, symptoms started around 21 and after 2 years of different tests my neurologist diagnosed me.

Are there any others with FA in your family? No, nobody in my family had ever heard of it.

Scott ArmitDescribe your transition from walking to walker/wheelchair. I try and walk as much as possible using a crutch. I do have a wheelchair but I try to only use it for long distances.

What do you like to do to stay active and what type of exercises work for you to stay strong? I go to a personal trainer twice a week to do mostly squats and pushing a torque tank. I try to go for walks as often as possible as well. I also think stretching is very important.

Do you have any hobbies or special interests? I like going to and watching football and I like watching boxing and UFC.

What is a good trick to make daily life easier? Do daily hand and grip exercises to maintain strength for as long as possible.

When FA gets you down, what do you think/do to feel better? I think fresh air always helps to clear my head, going out a drive with friends or a walk. Talking about it always helps as well, don’t bottle things up.

What is one way living with FA has POSITIVELY affected your life? It’s definitely made me a much kinder and caring person than I was before I was diagnosed.

What is a favorite motivational quote of yours? Sometimes we are tested, not to show our weaknesses but to discover our strength.

What is a piece of advice that someone with FA has given you that encourages and inspires you? It’s not advice as such but, I have a few friends with FA on social media who share their workouts. That really inspires me and pushes me to keep going every day.

What is the best advice YOU could give a person who has been newly diagnosed with FA? Stay as active as possible, exercise and stretch out every day. What I was told after I was diagnosed was use it or lose it.

Scott Armit What is the first thing you want to do when a cure/treatment is found? I would love to start climbing all the Munro’s in Scotland but the first thing I’d love to do is take my dog for a walk.

"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? As much as my condition has obvious limitations, I don’t let anything hold me back. I think if there’s anything I really want to do, I find a way to do it.

Tell us a little more about you… I’ve done a couple of blogs for “ataxia_and_me” about FA and its impact on mental health. I’m also training just now as I plan to climb Tinto Hill in Scotland in the summer hopefully raising some money and awareness for FA.


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