What is Ataxia?
Ataxia means ‘lack of order’, because it gradually makes you lose control of your body. People with ataxia have problems with balance, speech, and co-ordination. This is because parts of the nervous system that normally control co-ordination and balance are affected. There are many different types of ataxia with different causes and symptoms; many are inherited. Thanks to Ataxia UK research we now know that more than 10,000 adults in the UK have ataxia and many more children: thousands more than was previously thought. Ataxia is progressive, meaning it gets worse with time, until people become entirely dependent on others for all their needs. There is currently no cure.
Ataxia UK is the national charity for people affected by ataxia.
Ataxia UK has been supporting people with ataxia and their families for over forty years. They provide unique services and support, including a dedicated helpline and advocacy service; events and conferences where people can meet and share information; welfare grants; a quarterly magazine; a website with lots of information and a discussion forum; publications, films, and reports. Ataxia UK offers free membership and vital support from the difficult time of first diagnosis through all the challenges people with ataxia face every day.
Ataxia UK's vision is a world without ataxia.
Although Ataxia UK is a small charity, in the past five years they have spent over £2 million on research into ataxia. As well as supporting people with ataxia, the money that they raise goes straight to funding world-class research into treatments and a possible cure. Every day their researchers are working on projects that lead us closer to the prospect of a cure for ataxia.
The future
Run by a dedicated group of staff and trustees who ensure that the charity is efficient and cost-effective means that Ataxia UK is well placed to thrive even in the current financial climate. Running costs are kept low and over 85% of money raised is spent directly on supporting people with ataxia and funding world-class research. Over the next few years Ataxia UK aim to open more Ataxia Centres, specialised clinics for the diagnosis and management of ataxia, and continue to grow their network and support groups.
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