November 11, 2012 (WLS) -- Friedreich's ataxia, a complicated genetic disability, usually begins before puberty when areas that control coordination, movements, and functions start failing.
A young west suburban college student is moving on with her life plans with a positive outlook, despite her disability.
Eighteen-year-old Nicole Kramer has an amazing attitude about herself and her disability.
Challenged by a heart condition, scoliosis and some speech difficulty, she is determined to succeed.
At the College of DuPage, Kramer is just like any other first semester student.
"It's going good," she said. "I like it a lot."
Even though DuPage's campus is big, Kramer needs very little accommodations getting around.
"Walking has been increasingly getting worse and harder," she said. "I don't have much walking cause all my classes are in one building. So I've been doing fine with it. I've been getting into class on time so I haven't needed anything but the only thing that I really use is like the elevator because it's easier."
At the age of 15 Kramer was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia. Her mom, Kelly, said she had scoliosis when she was in 7th grade.
"Then after wearing her brace, we found her heart condition which is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and then finally they pieced it all together sophomore year in high school," Kelly Kramer said.
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College freshman moving on despite diability