This week I reported on the Ataxia UK Conference. This is their 50th anniversary year- half a century of doing all that they can to help,people affected by ataxia and to put what they can towards medical research.

Ataxia means lack of order and is the term given to a group of neurological conditions that affect balance, speech and coordination.

In some cases people get the symptoms of ataxia for short periods of time and then recover. In many cases ataxia is permanent and and the symptoms get progressively worse over time.

More than 10,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with a type of progressive ataxia.

Meeting someone else with ataxia and seeing how they cope can show you that you’re not alone. Ataxia UK brings people together around the country for sharing, friendship and support.

Learning that you have ataxia can generate so many questions. Ataxia UK can help to provide accurate information, answer your questions and help you live with ataxia day to day. With help and support this organisation can fund research and provide support via international research grants programmes. There are special centres in Newcastle, London and Sheffield. There is a national network of branches and groups, with online communities and national and regional conferences.

To find out more you can call the ataxia helpline on : 0845 6440606 or go to the website ww.ataxia.org.uk