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Member Stories

Roberta C

I am the mother of a child with SCA (type 14). My daughter who is now 12 had her first symptom when she was 5. She had a vision through her school and had failed it. What was so unusual about that was she had her annual exam with her Read More…

Ken

My Ataxia journey started some years ago. Even before I was diagnosed, my wife commented that I walked like “Tipsy Mc Staggers”, and I had balance issues that I attributed to a ‘wonky’ knee. I spent about 50 years working in the education field as a teacher, assistant principal, math Read More…

Julie Guillot

My name is Julie Guillot, and my son, John, has Ataxia.  John’s journey began on January 19, 1998, just a few weeks after he was born.  As a newborn, he was admitted to the hospital with RSV and had routine blood work performed.  The blood work showed that his platelet counts were low, Read More…

Terry Jr

My name is Terrence A Reed Jr, retired U.S. Army. I also served in four combat zones (1 Afghanistan, 3 Iraq). Now that I think back, I think I first noticed while still serving on active duty on Schofield barracks in Hawaii. We did a lot of physical training, and Read More…

Tammie Hill

I have a genetic disorder called Batten Disease-CLN2. Doctors don’t know why I didn’t start showing symptoms until I was in my forties- this usually only happens to very young children. There is no cure but there is a treatment for the type of Batten Disease I have. I had Read More…

David Brown

I was a high school baseball coach for 25 seasons and had a successful 20 years in as the Public Address announcer for all the programs football and basketball games – both boys and girls. About five years ago, I sold my lucrative Financial Planning practice of 33 years and Read More…

Patrick Schmoll

I was correctly diagnosed with genetic Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia in my early 30’s. Although I have been feeling the effects since my late teens (Not sure which SCA number). As time passes, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to perform routine tasks. My legs and hands have become increasingly weaker. I have Read More…

Larry

This past January I woke up with balance issues. Within a week I was using a cane. In June, my neurologist diagnosed me as having sensory ataxia. My condition seems to have progressed rather rapidly! During the past seven months, I have struggled when standing and walking. When I sit Read More…

Amanda Ryder

In medical school, one of my professors told me I had a gait disorder. I told him, “No I don’t!” Well, he was right of course. 20 years or so later I found myself unable to run, and gradually noticed weakness in my quads and legs, and eventually a very Read More…

Jai Gupta

Hi I am a 62-year-old Indian male living in New Delhi, India. My discovery of Ataxia was quite by accident. I suffer from Essential Tremors and the doctor suggested a gene test about 15 years back. The SCA 12 gene was dominant, but since it was more an ET diagnosis, Read More…

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