HEATHER'S BLOG

When you perform, you are out of yourself and more potent, more beautiful." I first encountered Agnes de Mille’s words during my New York acting days. To me, art and life are intertwined. These days, I practice life on the yoga mat—finding presence, strength, and grace, even when I wobble. With ataxia, things don’t always function as they once did. But like Itzhak Perlman playing on three strings, I’m learning I don’t have to stop. I can adapt, re-align, and rise every time I

Living with ataxia means some days your balance is off and stress takes over. But waiting for someone to fix it is a total disaster. True freedom comes when you stop waiting and start moving. Read on to see how I shifted my mindset around chronic illness, learned to embrace the challenges, and unlocked a tool that helps me heal.

You know that saying, “No one is coming to save you”? Softly, I remind myself that there is great power in deciding I can “save” myself. Living with ataxia taught me this the hard way. The real shift happened when I stopped waiting and started moving—one breath at a time. True freedom comes when you realize the medicine is you.

I cried on my daughter's shoulder—I missed my dog, wanted to go to spin class, and couldn't walk. But it gets old playing the victim. It’s okay to have a day in bed crying, but you have to get up. My mantra is "I do hard things." I breathe softly, and I do them. Whatever you're going through, persistence breaks resistance—so keep going!