Generations articles from September 1997

Generations archives from September 1997

New Gains On The "Gain Of Function" Hypothesis.
September 22, 1997... Most of the dominant ataxias, as well as Huntington's disease, are a result of mutations that involve expansion of a stretch of triplet nuclcotides to a range not found in the normal genes. The triplet involved is CAG which codes for the...

NAF HAS MOVED ...
September 22, 1997... The National Ataxia Foundation moved its office on September 10, 1997 from our Wayzata location to its current location on Fernbrook Lane. We were at Twelve Oaks Center in Wayzata, Minnesota since March 26, 1983. Prior to that location, we...

FOR THOSE I LOVE, FOR THOSE WHO LOVE ME.....
September 22, 1997... When I am gone, release me, let me go.... I have so many things to see and do. You must not tie yourself to me with tears. Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love. You can only guess how much you...

Letter to NAFers and Generation's Readers.
September 22, 1997... Sometimes I think we've all been cut from the same cloth because our experiences in childhood and adolescence are so similar (except this business about being coordinated enough to drive). Heck, they won't even let me in an indoor Bumper-Car...

Potassium Channel Mutations in Hereditary Episodic Ataxia.
September 22, 1997... The hereditary ataxias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by deficits in motor function. At least two rare forms of autosomal dominant episodic ataxia can be clinically identified. One form, episodic ataxia type 1 (EA-1), is...

DEVELOPMENT OF A CONGENIC STRAIN OF THE SHAKER MUTANT RAT.
September 22, 1997... The shaker mutant rat, originally present in Sprague Dailey outbred stock, is an excellent animal model for anatomical and movement analysis studies of hereditary cerebellar ataxia. Anatomical studies have demonstrated a progressive loss of...

Panel of Doctors.
September 22, 1997... On Sunday, February 16, 1997, members attending the Annual Meeting were divided into two groups, those interested in Friedreich's Ataxia and those in dominant inherited ataxias and sporadic ataxia. After we heard presentations from all the...

WINDOW ON WASHINGTON.
September 22, 1997... At the time of this writing in mid-September 1997, both houses of Congress are wrapping up consideration of the 13 annual appropriations bills prior to a scheduled adjournment in October. One of those spending bills and two other pieces of...

The Healing Power of Group Therapy.
September 22, 1997... As I think back on my stimulating experience leading the Family-and-Friends breakout group at the national meeting in Jackson, one truth continues to stand out: The group process is the healing factor. All groups have their mix of...

"HOW CAN I MAINTAIN A STRONG VOICE WHEN I CAN NO LONGER SPEAK".
September 22, 1997... Submitted from the NAF Chesapeake Chapter 1996 Annual Meeting I am pleased to be with you today to talk about something I believe most of you are on very intimate terms with. The emotional aspects of living with a chronic illness, ataxia....

How I Handle Nystagmus and Oscillopsia.
September 22, 1997... The Fall 1996 issue of Generations discussed nystagmus and oscillopsia in the "Q&A: Medical Concerns Answered Column." In the answer, the doctor asked readers to write in if they had a method of dealing or suppressing the feeling of...

NATIONAL ATAXIA FOUNDATION'S DAY ON THE HILL.
September 22, 1997... This year, we will be taking advantage of the conference's wonderful location and offer NAF members an opportunity to spend a day on Capitol Hill. Thursday morning, March 25, NAFs Chesapeake Chapter members Ron & Raychel will give a brief...

NAF Chapters and Support Groups.
September 22, 1997... This is a list of NAF chapters and support groups. The use of these names, addresses, and phone numbers for any purpose other than requesting information regarding NAF or joining a chapter or support group, is strictly prohibited. We...

1997 ANNUAL ATAXIA RESEARCH DRIVE.
September 22, 1997... The National Ataxia Foundation began the 1997 Annual Ataxia Research Drive in mid-October. We are asking members to help support this most important research program. Every year the membership has contributed admirably. Many have made...

Ohio Ataxia Support Group (Map #40).
September 22, 1997... Hi fellow ataxians! We held our annual summer picnic at Ohio University in Lancaster, Ohio, on August 23, 1997. In all, 12 people attended, including Mrs. Underwood who gave us ataxians important information on ataxia from her experience...

Golden Triangle Ataxia Support Group (Map #13).
September 22, 1997... Howdy Ya'll! On September 6th the annual Golden Triangle Support Group picnic was again a complete success. Many of the near 50 attendees left with a door prize in hand, clutched in their arms or wore as they left, out the door (T-shirts,...

St. Louis, Missouri Support Group (Map #20).
September 22, 1997... Sunday, June 8th, we had a picnic at Queeny Park in St. Louis. A nice time was had by all. Although the weather was pretty cool and overcast, some of us still were sunburnt! We had 19 people in attendance; new people included: Charles Matthis...

Tampa Bay, Florida Support Group (Map #25).
September 22, 1997... We met this year, where we had a demonstration from Andrea Behram, Ph.D.P.T., a physical therapist. She works at the University of Florida in Gainsville and was recommended by a member, Evelyn Griffin. We thank Andrea for talking with us and...

Northern California Ataxia Support Group (Map #34).
September 22, 1997... The Northern California Ataxia Support Group held its quarterly meeting on Saturday, August 2, 1997, in the recreation hall of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Lafayette, California. This meeting was attended by 31 members, including several...

Seattle Washington Area Support Group (Map #38).
September 22, 1997... With 87 recipients ranging from British Columbia to Oregon to Idaho, our mailing list is flourishing quickly. People of all ages affected by several kinds of ataxia, as well as some family and friends, make up that list. About 15 families or...

Chesapeake Chapter & Support Group (Map #3).
September 22, 1997... Although busy planning and making preparations for the Annual Membership meeting to be held March 26-29, 1998, in Alexandria, Virginia, the Chesapeake Chapter also held a bi-monthly meeting on Saturday, July 26th, in Beltsville, Maryland. Our...

Birmingham, Alabama Support Group (Map #14).
September 22, 1997... The Alabama Ataxia Support Group met for lunch at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, September 30th. It was fun to catch up with each other after our summer break. Plans were made for the fall and we invite you to join us for any or all...

CONTRIBUTIONS MADE EASY THROUGH STOCK.
September 22, 1997... (WHAT GOES UP CAN GO DOWN) The National Ataxia Foundation has received stock over the years from individuals all over the country. There are many advantages in donating stock to the Foundation. One way is to eliminate your capital gains...

MEMORIALS AND IN YOUR HONOR.
September 22, 1997... The National Ataxia Foundation is grateful to those who have made contributions in memory or in honor of their friends and families whose names are listed below. This list reflects contributions made from July 1, 1997, through September 30,...

Contributions Keep Us Going.
September 22, 1997... The National Ataxia Foundation recently received a wonderful gift from an anonymous donor. The individual sent a small sheet of paper with the words "A NONI MOOSE" on it with a drawing of a moose. Enclosed with this note was a check in the...

BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE TO RECEIVE $150,000.00 GRANT FOR HEREDITARY ATAXIA.
September 22, 1997... The National Ataxia Foundation is pleased to announce that Baylor College of Medicine will be receiving a three year grant totaling $150,000.00 for Hereditary Ataxia research. The National Ataxia Foundation was contacted by one of its members...

Reflections--Inspiration.
September 22, 1997... God saw she was getting tired And a cure was not to be; So He put His arms around her, and whispered, "Come with Me." With tearful eyes we watched her suffer And saw her fade away. Although we loved her dearly,...

WHAT ATAXIA CANNOT DO.
September 22, 1997... Ataxia is so limited... It cannot cripple love, It cannot shatter hope, It cannot corrode faith, It cannot destroy peace, It cannot kill friendship, It cannot suppress memories, It cannot silence courage,...

For My Family But Especially For Our Father.
September 22, 1997... The earliest memories I have of the disease which has destroyed the health of so many of my family members, are those of my Grandfather--"Pa". Pa lived with our family when I was very young. He was my father's father and had helped my...

Earning Your Wings.
September 22, 1997... In 1981, three of our six children were diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia. The doctors told us we probably would not find anyone else with this disease because it was so rare. Naturally, our family was devastated and didn't know where to...

Never In A Million Years.
September 22, 1997... So, I'm turning thirty in June and I should feel like my life is just beginning. About a year ago I would have said my life feels like it was ending. Now I'm somewhere in between, but, I'm working on that. I have been diagnosed with...

Use of Sensory Information in Persons with Cerebellar Ataxia.
September 22, 1997... Local Address: Neurology Specialists, PA, Movement Disorders Clinic Humans and other animals are able to use sensory information to guide their movements. The sensory information may include visual and auditory perception as well as that...

North Texas Support Group (Map #1).
September 22, 1997... The North Texas Support Group for Ataxia met on Saturday, July 26th at the home of Owen Yost. A member of the Denton Police Force and a member of the Denton Fire Department were there to discuss, "driving with ataxia", "dealing with...