Scotland, 33 years old

In April 1998 David was diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. He hoped to improve his balance, mobility, coordination and speech - his dream being to be able to play football with his kids. His treatment (umbilical cord stem cells and nerve growth factor) began on March 5th, 2007.

Canada, 33 years old

George was diagnosed with Sporadic Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3, a.k.a. Machado-Joseph Disease –or MJD- in May 2004. His father and grandfather also had SCA3. He had a fairly fast progression since the onset of the disease. George heard about other patients having success with stem cells and decided that it was worth trying.
A treatment of umbilical cord stem cells with nerve growth factor started on January 1st, 2007.

Canada, 47 years old

Christina was diagnosed with Sporadic Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 in May of 2004. She had been treated with IV of antioxidant reduced glutathione, calcium EAP and NADH. She also showed an allergy to several substances and as a result, she was receiving an allergy desensitization serum. In the past one to two years, there had been a dramatic progression in her speech difficulties and her balance / gait problems.
Treatment started on december 20th, 2006.

Ireland, 26 years old

Around 2001 she started noticing lack of balance and problems in holding things. She went to the doctor with her brother Jason and found that they both had Friedreich's Ataxia.
About two years ago, Linda got pneumonia and had to lay in bed for about four weeks. After that she got tired a lot more easily and started to rely on a wheelchair. Her conditions slowly worsened until she and her brother decided to try chinese treatments, hoping to regain some independence.

Canada, 48 years old

Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2 was diagnosed in 1986. After twenty years, the disease had reached a point where Brian's life was seriously affected. After his cousin Tim and his daughter came for treatment, he decided that he, too, wanted to come and try to improve his situation.

United Kingdom (Wales), 49 years old

Dave had symptoms for nearly ten years. It all started with a wide gait, but this did not affect his quality of life too much. Five years ago, his right arm began to shake when drinking water. Two years ago he started noticing that the external upper leg muscles were getting weak and that his voice had started to thicken, slurring his words. He felt good in the morning but about 3 to 5 p.m., he could no longer speak clearly. His legs got weaker and weaker, and his hands shaked at night. The whole situation turned so bad that he had to go home early from the office to conceal the problem.

Canada, 51 years old

Val had cramps in her legs as well as other symptoms for as long as she could remember. Spinocerebellar ataxia 2 (SCA2) was diagnosed to her in june, 1998.

Before the treatment

Val's gait was very unsteady and she needed to hold the wall when walking.

Canada, 44 years old

He didn’t feel as steady when walking as he was when he was younger. Actually a Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2 has never been diagnosed to him, but it's a disease recurrent in his lineage. Many members of his family were diagnosed with SCA-2.

Canada, 19 years old

Kymberly’s family had a history of Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2 and she had been feeling the symptoms for about 6 years. The disease had reached a the point where it was starting to affect her studies at school.

Canada, 45 years old

Tim's family had a history of ataxia, and he started to feel the effects in 2003. Diagnosis: Spinocerebellar Ataxia 2.

Before the treatment

Tim walked unevenly, especially down the stairs: in this case he had to concentrate or hold the handrail in order to feel secure.