Vote to Celebrate Ability through Cycling
The Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance in Downingtown, PA by Jean Terry Walsh
To supporters of the Ataxian Athlete Initiative:
"Thank you for voting for the Ataxian Athlete Initiative (AAI) in Cultivate Wines "The Give". Unfortunately, we learned that one of our voters has been submitting votes from multiple false email accounts. FARA maintains the highest level of integrity, and therefore, has chosen to withdraw from the contest. Thank you for your continued support of adaptive cycling equipment for people with FA. We are truly grateful for all Cultivate Wines is doing to make a difference in the world by donating funds to charities." - Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)
FARA’s/Ride Ataxia’s Ataxian Athlete Initiative (AAI) funds adaptive cycling equipment to make exercise possible for people with Ataxia. People who stay physically active can slow the progression of Ataxia. Recipients do not simply learn that fitness helps their bodies, they learn that while they must deal with Ataxia’s damage to their bodies, they can still experience wellness, purpose & joy. Recipients have the opportunity to celebrate what their body can do, not dwell on what it can’t.
People world wide who are disabled & whose lives are prematurely shortened, due to heart disease, by FA.
Focusing on FARA’s efforts to empower, our most important accomplishments are: • Bringing the Ataxia community together to raise awareness & funds to fight FA • Establishing 10 clinical centers providing the best care for FA patients • Funding 9 transitional research grants for novel treatments for FA • Funding 7 people to get adaptive cycles
This project provides adaptive cycling equipment to improve the lives of people with a disabling & life shortening disease—enabling them to stay active, live large & revel in their power.
$50,000 would purchase 15-20 adaptive cycles, fully and/or partially in support of FARA’s Ataxian Athlete initiative (AAI). The average cost of an adaptive cycle is $3,250. Nick Carbone, one of 2010’s AAI recipients said: “…it (AAI) has given me the ability to live proudly with a disability.”
