_{Are you aware of this rare?}

_{Rare neurological disease Ataxia – Campaign by patient advocate Taryn Cotton for Ataxia UK}

Ataxia is a rare neurological disease which effects mainly balance. However, ataxia can effect many other areas of the body such as the eyes, heart, and ears. This rare disease also causes tremors, deformities, scoliosis, coordination problems, and chronic pain.

_{About Taryn}

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting Taryn who has recently moved back to Sunderland. It is thanks to our Trustee and partner Alan Thomas that we were put in touch with each other. This means that we can help and support each other with our advocacy work.

Taryn has Cerebellar Ataxia which is a disorder that occurs when the cerebellum becomes inflamed or damaged. The cerebellum is the area of the brain responsible for controlling gait and muscle coordination. The term ataxia refers to a lack of fine control of voluntary movements.

Taryn is a volunteer for Ataxia UK and she is often busy campaigning and raising awareness. The campaign that we discuss here is for International Ataxia Awareness Day that is on 25th September. #IAAD2021

Taryn is delivering the Ataxia UKs medical guidelines to her GP in Sunderland for the campaign. Educating doctors is important to help this rare condition, ataxia, get recognised. Knowing about the disease can help people with symptoms to get noticed sooner… and diagnosed quicker.

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_{Why raise awareness? Misdiagnosis of rare neurological disease Ataxia is a problem!}

Ataxia is Latin and means lack of order. Ataxia is similar to Parkinson’s, MS and sometimes Huntington’s. Taryn is taking part in a campaign run by Ataxia uk charity to speed up diagnosis of Ataxia. Many people are often misdiagnosed!

Part of the campaign involves fundraising to help research into Ataxia. Taryn has asked us to help her achieve this. Research can help in many ways including making the diagnostic process better. By improving diagnosis less people will go misdiagnosed.

_Fundraising

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To find out more information on the different types of ataxias, please take a look at this booklet: 

‘Ataxia: what’s that?’ booklet by Ataxia UK

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_{Header image credit –}

(c) Can Stock Photo / tashatuvango

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