Excuse me!

[Bpurce]

Are the symptons we all expierence

Presented to others as an excuse?

In other words do we ataxians blame

All of our ailments on ataxia?

Regards

Barney

[nikkistowe Volunteer]

I've met people that do. They're like I can't do nufin cos I have ataxia and im like that's rubbish I work, volunteer for 3 diff places and study . Makes me mad. Lifes what you make it

[wildone]

I never really know what people mean when they say things like "that's just an excuse". To me, that's implying that you're lying about the reason you give for not doing something. And as ataxia can affect absolutely everything you do, I don't think ataxia can be used as an excuse.

Maybe I'm being naive but I don't think that - with all the limitations that having ataxia can present - anyone would not do something which they knew they could. I think the problem is more about not knowing what they're capable of.

To others with a limited understanding of ataxia, I think our reasons may be seen as excuses. It's just something we have to deal with.

[Razzy]

I think as Ataxia affects us all differently (also depending on other ailments one may have)

It would be like saying does everyone with a headache blame the headache for them being unable or unwilling to concentrate .

I have severe vertigo as well as my Ataxia , and yes I do refuse to do things I would have done 3 years ago, like climbing a stepladder to wash windows , or carry a 50 ltre bag of compost, I don't think we blame Ataxia because we don't do these things , but the loss of balance does stop some people doing some things

[klazien]

I have a tendency to blame every ailment on ataxia but my GP warned me not to do that.

[silkwood]

It is easy to do when there is so much confusion amongst medical people.i never know is if a symptom is Ataxia as we all vary such a lot.For example I have little speech or movement but no problems with neuropathy or fatigue or any cognitive issues.Thats why I think Ataxia can be a double handicap.I can overcome the mobility but struggle with the speech thing

[nikkistowe Volunteer]

it depends if you mean an excuse we tell ourselves to limit ourselves or an excuse we tell others as an explanation for us not doing something?

[february]

In all fairness, I believe there are different degrees of ataxia symptoms, depending on the person and the type of ataxia they have. I really "push" myself to continue to do things, although at times, it's much easier not to. I've fallen so many times (hairline fracturing my pelvis in November and hitting my head on the corner of the wall in January), that it has effected my confidence greatly! I also find if I overdue my activity one day, I pay for it the next, as I'm really tired. Is it all in my head? I don't think so, as I try to have a positive attitude, ever since I was diagnosed with ataxia 10 years ago. I won't give up or give in! I try not to think about what I can no longer do, and rally around what I can do! ;o)

[wibblywobbly]

I think everyone is different and we all seem to have different symptoms etc. When I am really tired something that I could usually do becomes very very difficult, and with tiredness comes virtigo. I try to do what I can, but also have lost a lot of strength in my muscles - legs and now arms. Before I was incredibly active. When I'm not tired I do all that I can - I hate sitting around doing nothing. I still work - all be it just a few hours per week now. I push myself. I do excercises everyday too. But there's a difference between pushing yourself and forcing. If I force myself then after I will pay the price, with recovery being longer. There seems to be so many things different with my body now and how things feel - that I think most of it must be the CA. Of course, before symtoms really developed, have lived with more difficulty most of my life and just not known before - thought was like that for everyone! It's the same old thing really - use it or lose it! Keep positive and keep going to best of ability.