September 25th is International Ataxia Awareness Day!
The National Ataxia Foundation (NAF) has great resources to help spread the word and show our solidarity for the Ataxia patient community; on International Ataxia Awareness Day (IAAD) and every day!
Let’s read more below!
What is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a rare disorder that affects many body systems, including the nervous system, immune system, and more. It is characterized by difficulty with coordinating movement (ataxia) that gets worse as time goes on.
The ataxia usually begins in infancy or early childhood, before age 5, and usually progresses to the point that the child will need wheelchair assistance by adolescence.
Some symptoms include:
- Difficulty coordinating movements
- Difficulty walking/Inability to walk
- Balance problems
- Presence of small clusters of enlarged blood vessels in the eyes and on the skin’s surface
- Slurred speech
- Involuntary jerking movements/Muscle twitching
To learn more about ataxia, click here.
Download Materials for Awareness Day
Post on Social Media
You can post a personal story or information about ataxia to help with the awareness efforts. NAF’s IAAD campaign kit offers social media post ideas and images.
And follow NAF on Facebook and Twitter to share any Ataxia or awareness day messages. Use #IAAD19 for your social media posts to help International Ataxia Awareness Day trend on social media!
