FA Project Blog

Born in Winthrop, MA, Richie Currier grew up like any other kid. With a passion for sports at an early age, Richie played baseball, basketball and soccer throughout his childhood. By his mid teens he found out that unlike earlier in his life, he couldn’t quite perform at the same level as his friends in sports. During a routine physical examination his freshman year at Salem State, the doctors discovered that Richie had a rare inherited disease that affected his nervous system called Friedreich’s Ataxia. Although tough to hear at first, it didn’t stop Richie from graduating college or going forward with his life. Instead of giving up, Richie decided to give back and help others who live with Friedrich’s Ataxia by founding The FA Project. Whether it’s providing power chairs to suffers of FA or supporting other FA organizations, the FA Project gives whatever they can to better the lives of people affected by Friedreich’s Ataxia. Richie now resides in Melrose with his family and is a full time employee of the State of Massachusetts.

This year, the FA Project donated $3,500 to the 2011 Ataxian Athlete Initiative (AAI). Richie answered a few questions to tell us more about what the AAI is and their partnership with Ride Ataxia, a group that raises money and awareness for FA by cycling across the country.

How did you first learn about Ride Ataxia?

I first heard about Ride Ataxia through the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). I was impressed by what they were doing. The Ride Ataxia Team takes weekend cycle rides all over the country, educating the public about Friedreich’s Ataxia by drawing attention through physical acts of endurance. Ride Ataxia raises funds for the advancement of ataxia research in hopes to find a cure for the disease. The group has inspired many, traveling over 3,500 miles while raising over $800,000 for ataxia research. Kyle Brant, who was diagnosed with FA at the age of 17, founded the program.

Tell us about your friend Kyle.

Kyle has a passion for sports, just like me. He too was diagnosed with ataxia around his senior year of high school, but was adamant about not letting the disease take over his life. Although he was unable to ride a regular bike, he discovered the three wheeled trike that allowed him ride and enjoy the freedom that came with it. In 2007, he and his father began Ride Ataxia by venturing on a 2,500 mile, 60 day cycling journey from San Diego to the National Ataxia Foundation Annual Meeting in Memphis, TN. I thought to myself, “I have to meet this guy.”

What exactly is the Ataxian Athlete Initiative?

The AAI is a program that funds the purchases of adaptive cycling for aspiring Ataxian athletes. Administered through a grant application process, individuals must have been diagnosed with some form of ataxia to qualify. This year, I am proud to say that the FA Project has been able to support AAI with a $3,500 donation.

Isn’t it true that you yourself have started riding?

I have. After seeing what riding has done for Kyle, I had to get a trike. I started slow at first, taking a 3-mile ride around Deer Island Park in Winthrop. I loved it!  The trike gave me a sense of independence and freedom that I haven’t felt in a long time. I plan to keep riding and look forward to our partnership with Ride Ataxia and FARA.

To learn more about Ride Ataxia and the 2011 Ataxian Athlete Initiative, go online at http://rideataxia.org/aai.php and become a fan on Facebook and follower on Twitters