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News
FA Clinic in Brisbane is now open. This is a gathering of specialists in the one place that are all well informed of FA. For more information on the clinic and how to book in click here.
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One of our major sponsors is Compass Expeditions.
So if you are looking for a holiday with a difference then follow the link.
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Date: 21 - 22 May -
Photography Exhibition: Wesley Misson, Ann St, Brisbane Click on the image to read how sucessful this was.
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Documentary release:
Our documentary was released February 2010. This has been created to raise awareness. Click on the image to read more about it. 
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Go the TAN
February I pushed the wheelchair the 3.8kms around 'the TAN' - the botanic gardens in Melbourne to raise funds for FA research..
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Mick's Book
Mick is a special mate and was my driver for an overland I did through South America. He and 3 of his mates rode motorbikes from London to Vladivostok and raised alot of money. This is the story of that ride. Click on the picture for more info. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the life expectancy of people with FA?
Cannot be predicted in a specific case and we are finding ‘older cases' all the time. It is no longer just a disease of childhood.
2. Does FA cause impotence, or effect sexual response in males or females?There is a peripheral nerve component to the disease but the autonomic nervous system doesn't seem to be imparied. General physical disability might be a problem however.
3. Does insomnia occur with FA?
There are often sleeping problems associated with FA, which can be treated. These problems are usually only apparrent much later from the original onset of symptoms though.
4. Does it affect your sight/vision and hearing ability in all cases?
Only a small proportion, certainly not all
5. Does fa always cause fatigue?
Any neurological or neurodegenerative disease can cause easy fatigue.
6. Do all FAers have scoliosis?
Can be a major problem.
7. Is the age of onset of FA related to the length of survival?
To an extent, earlier onset , more severe disease.
8. Does age of onset relate at all to rapidity of speech deterioration?
As for 7
9. Why does diabetes develop? Is it insulin dependent or non-independent.
Don't know the answer to this
10. Is it known whether sensory and proprioceptive loss in FA is a result of primary neurological changes or secondary to diabetes (ie, diabetic neuropathy)?
Primary neurological changes
11. Is it known why gait and balance are affected early in FA but not so much in other cerebellar degenerative diseases?
Combination of cerebellar disease, peripheral nerve disease and spinal cord disease
12. What causes the spinal deformities in FA? Is it independent of the neurological and cardiac problems?
Any problem with nerves/spinal cord can cause spinal deformities
13. Is there a typical onset of heart conditions?
no
14. What are common/typical functional problems – what to expect through progression/different stages?
A very long answer best discussed with a neurologist
more Questions answered
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