She was so focused on her bright future that Aubrey Olson didn’t know what defeat meant. But, after 23 years of fighting the effects of Friedreich’s ataxia, she finally succumbed on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. Aubrey’s passing comes just two months after the death of her 21-year-old brother Nick Olson, who also had FA.

Both Aubrey and Nick were National Goodwill Ambassadors for MDA in 1998 and 1999. Aubrey was diagnosed with FA when she was 8 years old.

She was completing her bachelor’s degree in child psychology at the University of Minnesota with plans to attend law school. She played power soccer in tournaments across the country, swam and skied using adaptive skiing equipment. In her spare time, she was a volunteer for a homeless shelter in Minneapolis.

When Aubrey and Nick were MDA National Goodwill Ambassadors, they traveled across America for two years representing MDA and the families it serves. The entire family became active MDA volunteers after Aubrey and Nick were diagnosed with FA in 1995.

MDA President & CEO Jerry Weinberg remembers Aubrey’s optimism.

“Aubrey won the heart of everyone she met. She was always looking out for other people. She had great courage, a beautiful spirit and positive attitude,” Weinberg said.

Aubrey leaves behind her mother and father, Cindy and Bruce Olson, her sister Brittney, who does not have FA, her niece Cayli, as well as family and many friends. Friedreich's ataxia is a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes impairment of limb coordination, muscle and heart weakness.It is one of the more than 40 neuromuscular diseases in MDA's program.