Six ladies from the Stillorgan Park Hotel took part in the Flora Womens Mini Marathon in aid of our clients and friend, the Friedreichs Ataxia Society of Ireland! We were delighted to present the cheque for €630 to the ladies from FASI last Friday.
What is Freidrechs Ataxia?
Friedreichs Ataxia is a genetic and progressive disorder of the central nervous system which usually manifests itself in children between the ages of six and sixteen years. However, in some instances the onset for Friedreichs and other Genetic Ataxias can be much later. Because of the genetic factor more than one person in a family may be affected.
The general symptoms are clumsiness, difficulties with balance, lack of co-ordination and, in time, a slurring of speech. Although there is no specific treatment for any of the known Ataxias, fundamental research into its pathogenesis is ongoing worldwide, and there are, in any case, various ways in which the burden on sufferers and their relatives can be lightened.
In recent years the defective genes which cause several of the Genetic Ataxias have been identified and, therefore, clinical tests can be undertaken to identify the particular Ataxia and/or to establish if other siblings are carriers of the defective gene.
Information and help in this regard can be obtained by contacting the Friedreichs Ataxia Society Ireland. http://www.ataxia.ie/
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