International Ataxia Awareness Day

International Ataxia Day is held every year on September 25 and exists to educate people about Ataxia and raise money to help find a cure for the disease. Ataxia is neurological symptom which results in a gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Those with the disease have dysfunctions in parts of the nervous system which coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum. Several types of Ataxia exist, depending on which parts of the cerebellum are damaged. The disease is fairly widespread, and not many people are aware that it exists. For example, Ataxia UK has stated that although over 10,000 people in the UK have the disease, only 7% of people in the research study know what it is.