Taken from the Ataxia UK website - link below
Findings from a YouGov poll that show more than 90% of the population don’t know what ataxia is or don’t even know that it is a medical condition at all has really hit home with Ataxia UK. That’s why we’ve decided to create attention, and lots of it with a series of stunning posters and advertisements representing how ataxia affects the brain.
Around 10,000 people in the UK are affected by ataxia. It attacks the brain and varies in its symptoms from causing co-ordination and balance problems, with people affected often mistaken for being drunk, to those with Friedreich’s ataxia who can lose their sight and hearing, have difficulty swallowing, and can be affected by heart problems and diabetes. Most will eventually lose their mobility, need a wheelchair and many will become entirely dependent on others. While symptoms do vary among different ataxias all currently face the same future, with no treatment or cure.
Anyone concerned that theyhave symptoms of ataxia shouldseek further advicefrom their GP in the first instance.