Ataxian Athlete Initiative Announces 2016 Recipients
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s Ataxian Athlete Initiative (AAI).
The AAI is a unique program that provides adaptive cycling equipment to people with ataxia who have demonstrated the desire to stay active and healthy despite their disabilities. Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a rare disease that affects balance and coordination and has symptoms such as vision and hearing loss and often results in life shortening heart complications.
This year, the AAI was sponsored by Catrike, UVA Sun Systems, Front Burner Brands, The Texas Irish Foundation, and a new partnership with Global Genes through their RARE Patient Impact Grant program which helped fund the US recipients.
“The goal of the RARE Patient Impact Grant program is to fund projects that make tangible differences in patients’ lives. The Ataxian Athlete Initiative is a program that is the epitome of true impact and we are proud to support the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance’s efforts. We hope to expand the grant program each year so we can support more worthy projects in the rare community.” – Amanda Knitter, Director of Patient Advocacy, Global Genes
AAI grants are administered through a competitive application process. Applicants research the most appropriate adaptive cycling equipment to suit their abilities and describe how such equipment would help them to reach their fitness goals and improve their quality of life.
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