InterNaf has brought us all together. I for one am thankful for this forum and judging from the overwhelming response I received, we all are grateful. I thought that I would share some of the ways InterNaf has helped others. This totally positive approach hopefully will remind us what InterNaf means to people when strife and controversy hit.

InterNaf members have a wealth of information to offer. Some scientific, in the form of researched articles and professional knowledge. As one friend wrote: "I found out what ATAXIA was after reading it on my tentative diagnosis from a neurologist; Provided information to my doctors, physiotherapists, friends, occupational therapist, enemies, employer etc. about ataxia". While another responded with this, "I can find out what new research is going on and where we are at towards finding a treatment for this disease before my DR!"
Many offer insight in dealing with the daily struggles of "life with ataxia" mainly because they already have "gone through it". As another had this to say, "The years that I've been on, INAF has helped me mainly in seeing how others take loss." While another had this to say, "Of course there is all the valuable info on drugs and research, but
the most important thing I have learned is that people with ataxia have lives, real lives." Still another said this, "I now run my problem or new symptoms by the group before I even mention it to the docs. It has saved me from worry and unnecessary visits to the docs."

From the majority of the responses I received, I believe the most important aspect that InterNaf offers can be best said by looking at one of Webster's definitions of Support - to encourage or to comfort.InterNaf is more than a support group, it is an extension of our own families. As a member had this to say, "InterNaf is like a family. You can have various opinions but still you are family." While another said this, "I guess you could say the biggest gift this list has brought to my life is I feel as though I have an extended family now, only this family knows how I feel and what I go through with day to day living, we fight and disagree like any other family but we always come back together because we need each other."Still another said this, "I am so glad I have a new family here. Thank you all for the great advise!"Another, "My first reaction is I met a heart "sister-friend" through InterNaf"

Through the InterNaf, many have realized they are not alone. "Now I know I am not alone, and that the "weird" things that happen to me (leg cramps, hearing loss in one ear, ringing in ear, eye sight shakey,etc....)"Another told me this, "I felt isolated before I joined this group." Still another had this to say, "MOST IMPORTANT!!!! I have learned to accept myself in the condition I am in - and am prepared for the future. thank you ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Another finished her response with this, "…internaf has been a window into a new world for me. Looking through that window has given me hope for my son and
his future." Finally, "I have been with the InterNaf for several years now and I think that the greatest benefit I have received from joining this group is knowing that there are people out there who know what I am going through… The friendships I have made I truly cherish." I totally agree.

Just a thought and God Bless!

A few things:

Remember a while back we said we needed a new host for our website. Well 1 of

Also, all members are asked, not required, to go fill the info database at http://www.worldataxia.net/

Internaf finaly got a new chat room that is both web (java) and irc (Internet

Finaly, if you want your picture added to the internaf photo album

Thx