There's Nothing Wrong with Asking for a Little Help: and other myths
When Dave Lewis learned that his life would be shortened due to Friedreich's Ataxia, he began to make life decisions accordingly. Graduating from high school early, he headed for college in the Southwest to avoid cold weather and icy sidewalks. Returning to the Midwest in the early 1990s, he taught adult computer classes at the Science Museum of Minnesota, until his failing voice caused him to choose another profession.  He became a software engineer with Electronic Data Systems (EDS), bought a condo in Virginia,  and had it modified to accommodate his wheelchair. He also traveled alone to such destinations as St. Thomas, V.I., and Lima, Peru. His disability forced his retirement in 2001.  He returned to Minnesota and later spent the last three years of his life writing his memoir.