Team Nys

over to the door and try to unlock it. When most kids would look for walls to write on, Nas was looking for paper. Nas was small for his age, but he never let that hold him back, he could hang with the best. At the age of three, he could dress himself with very little help. He was even learning to tie his shoes. By the time he was four, he was riding a two wheeler with no training wheels. He loved to do all things boys do, run, jump, video games, sing, dance, rough house, and let’s not forget the girls. He gets a kick out of getting his big sister in trouble. This is one of the many times you will see and hear that shy guy smile and sneaky laugh. When he was five, we began to notice a change in the way he stood,walked,talked and his ability to swallow, all the things a normal kid his age could do became more and more difficult. There were constant colds and fevers, requiring numerous visits to his physician. February of 2015, Nas was sent to see a specialist where he was diagnosed with Ataxia. Ataxia is defined as a failure of muscular coordination; irregularity of muscular action. It is a very rare neuro-degenerative disease inherited from both parents. The hereditary ataxias are degenerative disorders that progress over a number of years. People with ataxia have problems with coordination because parts of the nervous system that control movement and balance are affected. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and eye movements. Only one and every fifty thousand people are diagnosed with Ataxia. This disease is rapidly destroying every function in his little body. He is no longer able to balance himself or walk without the assistance of his walker. He also uses a wheelchair for family outings and long distance. His food has to be cut in very small pieces in order to make his swallowing easier. He is unable to use the restroom or bathe without the help of family members. Doctors say his life span is 25, however with recent research and others afflicted by the disease, results has proven the doctors wrong. Even though every day is a struggle he is and always will be a fighter. National Ataxia foundation is to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for Ataxia while supporting families and children who are currently in treatment for the disease.