This past January I woke up with balance issues. Within a week I was using a cane. In June, my neurologist diagnosed me as having sensory ataxia. My condition seems to have progressed rather rapidly! During the past seven months, I have struggled when standing and walking. When I sit or lie down, I have no issues – I feel normal! I use a cane to stand or when taking short walks. When I take my daily 2-mile exercise walk, I use walking sticks. I struggle daily with (I wouldn’t call it dizziness), however, it is as if I have had one drink too many. During a walk I can walk straight okay, but I find it difficult to turn around or turn to the right or the left. A dark room is not my friend. I do better with my eyes open and in light. My right foot has numbness 24/7. Numbness comes and goes in the left foot. Sometimes when I stop during a walk, and just stand still, my body jerks, or I step backwards. Surprises, like noise, or an unexpected car pulling out near me, or, when walking, say I brush by an unexpected tree limb, it startles me and affects my balance, and I must stop and regroup. The good news in all this is I have had zero pain issues.

One of my biggest struggles with SA is that I don’t know anyone who has it. My neurologist said that I must learn to live with it! I am not depressed. However, I do experience occasional sadness. I am looking for hope! I will do whatever I need to do to improve my quality of life.