Member Stories

My name is Cameron Dingerson, and I have a rare form of spinocerebellar ataxia: SCA11. The impetus for me sharing my story is the upcoming premiere of The Thirteenth Olympian, which is an original musical theater production solely written by myself and developed over the past seven years. The Thirteenth Read More…

My name is Denny and I am 71 years old living in a small town in Northern Minnesota.  I have had a diagnosis of Ataxia (unknown origin), for twelve years. An avid outdoor sportsman, I love hunting, fishing and was a passionate long-distance runner. As the past twelve years have Read More…

One day, about 25 years ago, I suddenly saw double after the second sip of white wine. Then I started seeing double not only when I drank wine, but also when I was tired mentally or physically. After the Basel University Hospital in Switzerland tested me negative for all the Read More…

“His Light Endures”: Honoring Dušan Through Art and Advocacy By Dr. Nanette Presswell My partner Dušan was an extraordinary person—deeply creative, endlessly curious, and full of imagination. He had a passion for life and a restless mind that never stopped asking questions, especially about the rare illness he lived with: Read More…

My Ataxia Journey: Sailing Uncharted Waters My name is Marius, and I live in Romania. I’m 64 years old, and I’ve always been an active, independent person who enjoyed thinking clearly and moving freely. For over 40 years, I worked as a shipping electrical engineer—until I retired in May 2024. Read More…

I have a history of Ataxia. On my father’s side, all aunts and uncles are affected, their offspring too. We all have Ataxia. I was just diagnosed in 2025. I feel ok, just scared. I’m praying for gene therapy or any medication. When Were You Diagnosed? Which Type (If Known)? Read More…

Hi! I was diagnosed in 2010. I worked for a well known insurance carrier. I had breast cancer in 2008 and received Chemo therapy, radiation and Herceptin. The docs are not sure why I have this, but they think the treatment I received may be the problem. It does run Read More…

Hello everyone, I used to live away from my home in Pokhara with my 3-year-old son for my job. I was a very confident girl — I loved dancing, not professionally, but for my own happiness. For me, it was a form of yoga and meditation. I had always been Read More…

I’m Sandra. I’m 50 years old and based in Hamburg, Germany. There are some things I found out and experienced, and for I found them help- and hopeful I want to share them with you. It was last year in March when MRI-images showed a light left-sided cerebellum degeneration. That Read More…