Annual Conference for Families, Ataxia UK

Ataxias are life-limiting progressive neurological disorders which can affect any age, from babies to adults.

Kieran enjoying the Ataxia UK conference with his grandfather, Colin

The first symptoms are often loss of balance and slurred speech.  The condition can progress to leave someone confined to a wheelchair and entirely dependent on their family and carers.

At least 10,000 adults in the UK are affected and an unknown number of children.  This is because the condition often goes undiagnosed in the early stages.

Ataxia UK is the only organisation in the country to represent people with this condition.  It's a small national charity and grants like the one from Jeans for Genes are really important.

"Our funds are very limited so any assistance given to us is very gratefully received," says Barnaby Levy from Ataxia UK. 

"Jeans for Genes have allowed us to help families affected by ataxia to come to our annual conference.  Often the costs of transport, accommodation and childcare mean that families can't attend but funding from the charity has changed that this year."

The children enjoy the fish at the Sea Life Adventure Park in Southend-on-Sea

The event was held at the Radisson SAS Hotel in Stansted.  Entertainment was provided for the children so their parents could concentrate on the information and support offered at the conference.

The children enjoyed a day of fun science sessions and a trip to the Sea Life Adventure Park in Southend-on-Sea.

There was also a disco for everyone to enjoy at the end of the day.

Colin and Beverley Yates were among the families at the conference.  Colin has multiple system atrophy, a form of cerebellar ataxia which occurs later on in life and will gradually worsen over time.

The couple hadn't been to an Ataxia UK conference before and thanks to the funding from Jeans for Genes, they were able to bring their five year old grandson, Kieran, with them. 

"Keiran's quite a handful, so to know that he’s not only being looked after while we’re at the conference, but also being educated in an entertaining way, enabled us to properly focus on the serious matters at hand," said Colin.

Ailsa from Jeans for Genes was coat monitor while the children had fun 

"He had a great time at the beach, saw some interesting fish at the adventure park, and promptly fell asleep on the coach back to the hotel – we couldn’t have asked for more!”

The grant from Jeans for Genes has gone further than Ataxia UK anticipated. 

It will help to offer financial support to families wanting to go to next year's event.  Your donations will continue to have a positive impact on families living with ataxias in 2009.