This is a letter about my Mom and my sisters…..Let me start out with my Mom first, her name is Mary Potts! A very strong and compassionate Mom. She pretty much raised 6 kids by herself. My Dad was in the Army and took two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was pretty much absent until I was 12. We moved to Sierra Vista at that time. My Mom and Dad divorced when I was 13 and my Mom was left to raise 6 kids on 300.00 a month. She met my step-father and 7 years followed with physical abuse and alcoholism with my step-father. During that time my Mom endured including a diagnosis for a disease called Freidreich`s Ataxia, that lists under Muscular dystrophy. It is progressive with balance, speech and coordination diminishing in a10-15 year progress. Heart disease, diabetes, scoliosis are part of the prognosis. Wheelchairs are needed . Each progression is different so it’s a surprise what gets taking away. My Mom at the time is marriage to my step-father and ran the only Bus depot in town from 1973-2003 she worked 6 days a week 8-5 Never called in sick and only took one vacation to get her diagnosis of Ataxia. Mom made minimum wage and when they closed the Bus Depot she was told on a Tuesday and closed that Friday . She survived on unemployment and SSI 750.00a month for 15 months and finally retired living on 650.00 a month! Thru all this My stepfather left after 7 years and my Mom paid off her house and survived!!! I remember her patiently waiting a year for a new wheelchair because the one she had broke , and would keep falling out of it. What a monumental struggle she had with the different facets of her life but she endured. My younger sister Lisa was diagnosed with FA at 28 and she has endured…3 girls a husband Bill who has stayed for the ride! Now they are Grandparents and my sister gets her encouragement from Mom when frustrations mount in her life. I was diagnosed 16 years ago and I thought I was strong enough to overcome or at least fight it…but I have found it very hard to keep up with my Mom. Mom continues to struggle and push her way thru as do my sister, I on the other hand cry and wish , then I talk to my Mom and get back up and push and struggle thru my 3 year olds temper tantrums and smiles and every day life’s problems. I have a brother who was diagnosed, his wife Karen has dealt with many problems including having 4 boys . She has given Johnny such wonderful care these 20+ years. She works full-time, I have a lot of respect and love for her with all she has accomplished, such a strong women like my mother. My sister’s 25 year marriage ended and she moved in with my Mom for financial reasons for a year and Mom stepped up. My Mom recently sold her house and moved in with my youngest brother Larry in WASH. He has a mobile home and not wheelchair accessible and my Mom makes do! Mom is 67 now and still struggling, still pushing and most importantly laughing! I am in awe of my family’s resilience and strength being able to overcome these huge challenges, but the badge goes to MOM, what an awesome challenge she met THANKS MOM!