My husband has been diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (SCA2) after years of misdiagnosis. The journey to finally identifying his condition has been excruciating, knowing that there's currently no treatment available. It's particularly heart-wrenching because we have a son, and the thought that this genetic disorder might affect him in the future is unbearable.

Our son is a vibrant, intelligent young man, freshly graduated from an Ivy League school, with his whole life ahead of him. To imagine that a future shadowed by SCA2 could be ahead of him or others like him is horrifying. As a parent, the potential of this disease impacting his life leaves me feeling helpless and devastated.

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 is a hereditary, progressive neurological disorder that attacks the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for controlling movement and coordination. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, there is no cure or effective treatment options currently available for SCA2. Symptoms typically begin in adulthood and lead to progressive loss of coordination, tremors, and issues with speech and swallowing. Unfortunately, funding for research on SCA2 lags behind that of other neurodegenerative diseases, leaving many families in limbo.

We urgently need more attention and resources directed towards research for treatments and, hopefully, a cure for SCA2. Investing in genetic research and development can provide hope to families affected all over the world by this debilitating condition.

I call upon our government and health organizations to prioritize funding for SCA2 research to give families like ours hope for the future. Our loved ones deserve a chance at a rich and fulfilling life, unburdened by the shadows of this cruel disease.

Please sign our petition to advocate for crucial SCA2 research funding and help us pave the path towards a hopeful tomorrow for all those affected.