Two days, September 25th, 2023, was International Ataxia Awareness Day! While I didn’t acknowledge the event with cake or even a sloppy “cheers” with fellow ataxians, I did fall twice, banged my head thrice walking thru doorways, mumbled incoherently, dropped my iPhone, broke a plate, and lost my shit on a damn frying pan! So, I guess I did celebrate Ataxia Awareness Day after all!

Yet, late in the day, something scratched me the wrong way.

I was with my older son at a very impromptu appointment; we were told about this urgent meeting at 3:39, we arrived at 4:02 by taxi.

As mentioned above, I was pretty ataxic, bouncy without meaning to be, walking drunkenly, I didn’t have a walker or even my wallet with me! We flew very fast out the door.

We arrived, and quickly shown into the “office.” I spied the parent chair, and flopped into it almost immediately. Relieved to be off my crazy feet. 38 minutes later, we were done.

I stood up, and did my customary jig after a sit down; my balance would shift, standing up un-fluidly, the grace of an gazelle trying to do a penguin impression. Does that make sense? In other words, I had no grace. My body shook, my arms fluttered, I took a step, then another. I was able to focus my energy and walk about out the room without falling.

This all took less than 15 seconds.

It was quite comical.

And the technician joined in…

At the time, I didn’t bother to respond at all.

But, now I do… while this movement may seem funny, it is not. It’s the same as shouting “Can you read lips!!” at a Deaf person or asking a blind person to read the small print. It’s rude.

Maybe the technician was unaware I had severe ataxia, or that I had banged my head thrice, Do you realize; standing up without wobbling is a skill, an art form!

So, if you happen to see a person standing up after a long sit, and they are wobbly, uncoordinated, swaying. please do not copy their movements for a quick chuckle. And if they fall, help them up, without saying “… had a bit too much to drink eh?”

Thank you for listening, your 39 seconds are appreciated!