| SCA is a neurological hereditary disease known as | | | | what the future holds, unfortunately because SCA is |
| Spinocerebellar Ataxia. | | | | so rare, there isn't much research being done on it. |
| Some symptoms of SCA are: | | | | There are many different types of SCA, but only a |
| - Loss of balance | | | | few genetic tests exist, and the types that he did |
| - Speech difficulties | | | | test for, he didn't have. |
| - Muscle spasms and weakness | | | | Everyday we hope and pray that they will invent |
| - Swallowing problems | | | | more tests so that we know what type he has and |
| These are just a few of the debilitating problems | | | | what his prognosis is for the future. |
| that SCA patients endure each day. | | | | There is no cure for SCA and all that they can do for |
| My husband was diagnosed with SCA five years ago. | | | | SCA patients is to make their lives comfortable. |
| We thought that he had an inner ear infection,and | | | | My husband is lucky being that we thing he has one |
| after a few months went buy and he wasn't getting | | | | of the more slower progressive types, however |
| better, we were referred to a neurologist. After | | | | everyday is still a struggle. He lives on over the |
| seeing many different doctors and specialists and | | | | counter pain relievers everyday for his sore muscles, |
| enduring many painful tests, we were at a loss not | | | | and muscle relaxers at night before he goes to |
| having any answers as to why he was having all of | | | | bed.All of his food needs to be cut into small pieces, |
| these problems. Finally our doctor asked if any | | | | and eating solid and liquid foods together is a big NO |
| neurological diseases ran in the family, and after | | | | NO! We also have to make sure he is supported |
| talking to some family members we found out that | | | | when he walks, so he doesn't fall, but most |
| SCA did run in the family. My husbands paternal great | | | | important we are just there to love him and make |
| grandmother,grandfather and many aunts, uncles and | | | | him smile. |
| cousins did or do have the disease. While it was | | | | If you want more information about SCA, you can |
| scary to get diagnosed with such a debilitating | | | | contact the National Ataxia Foundation. |
| disease, we were also relieved to finally know why | | | | My family and I cherish everyday we have with my |
| he felt the way he did. | | | | husband. We don't take one minute for granted. |
| Since then we have done some research to find out | | | | |