Deutsche Heredo-Ataxie-Gesellschaft e.V. (DHAG)

Qui sommes-nous

The German Heredoataxia Society, founded by Günther Österle in 1983, is a nationwide self-help organisation for sufferers from the disease ataxia. It is a non-profit, charitable organisation.

The affected patients have various forms of the condition, which present different symptoms, and which can lead to diverse dysfunctions. What they have in common is ataxia. Definition of ataxia: an inability to coordinate voluntary muscular movements that is symptomatic of some central nervous system disorders and injuries and not due to muscle weakness —called also incoordination. Our members are either sufferers or those at risk. People who are professionally concerned with ataxia (doctors, nurses, therapists) or other interested parties are also members of DHAG.

The DHAG's objectives are a better management of living together, and mutual exchange of information about social and medical or therapeutic possibilities.

Activities:
• Contacts – face to face, by telephone, or by letter – to pass on information about possible help.
• Offering advice from members of the Medical Advisory Board regarding technical matters.
• Putting people in contact with regional ataxia groups.
• Promoting wider contacts between members (Herax Fundus, Ataxie Forum)
• Organising seminars and workshops for members.
• Publishing our members' magazine "Herax-Fundus", as well as brochures and other sources of information of various kinds for members and other interested parties.
• Awarding the Heredoataxia prize (every 5 years).
• Supporting research projects by providing financial and logistical funding and giving members the opportunity of taking part as volunteers in medical studies.
• Raising awareness of heredoataxia among the general public.

Marion Nadke is on the Committee of the German Heredoataxia Society (DHAG) and is responsible for the supervision of members.

On request we can offer other net participants advice, give a presentation, and provide up-to-date information and contacts in the field of our work.