Rehab Expo 2010 (Seaforth Armouries, 1650 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC; September 14, 2010, 8:00am – 4:00pm). The purpose of Rehab Equipment Expo is to give clinicians and consumers in the community and health facilities access to information needed to make educated decisions regarding the purchase of assistive technology.

Allies in Health Care: 2nd Annual Community & Patient Fair for Health Professional Education (October 28, 2010, 10:00am – 4:00pm) hosted by the University of British Columbia (UBC) as part of Celebrate Learning week.
Allies in Health Care is a one-day event that connects community-based organizations, patient support groups, and individuals involved in these agencies with students and faculty at UBC. The Fair recognizes the unique expertise and role of people in the community in the education of health professionals and promotes meaningful partnerships between UBC and the communities it serves. The Fair will be held in the West Atrium of the Life Sciences Centre, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, UBC Point Grey campus. The event will include displays and representatives from over 30 community organizations, interactive patient panels and other educational activities.

A group in Vancouver BC, now forms the Western Branch of CAFA (the Canadian Association of familial ataxias) Claude St. Jean Foundation/ACAF (Association canadienne des ataxies familiales) - Fondation Claude St-Jean.

CAFA's western branch represents CAFA in the western provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC and promotes membership and directs funds to research through CAFA to ultimately discover and support treatments for a variety of types of ataxia.

They will work to raise awareness about ataxia, clarify information about the types of ataxias and about CAFA to the western audience, primarily in English. With an English-only web page (housed on the CAFA/ACAF site) they will reach out to those living with ataxia in the west with information, guidance and understanding. Where possible, they also hope to do advocacy work on behalf of individuals with ataxia, and/or advocate for ataxians in general in the community and within the health care system.

While they are not a support group they are happy to refer people with ataxia in western Canada to local support groups.

A bit about CAFA: Claude St-Jean was diagnosed with FA in 1972 and founded CAFA. Originally it only supported people and families with FA. As they became aware of numerous other forms of ataxias it expanded to include all types of ataxia.

>>> http://www.lacaf.org/West/Index.html

Dear visitors, We know that genetic factors influence a large number of familial conditions such as hereditary ataxias. But what are hereditary ataxias? Why and how do they appear? Are they considered severe and complex? At what age do they manifest themselves and what is the life expectancy? Is there a remedy, a cure, or treatments? Do the afflicted people keep their autonomy? Are ataxias regional, national or international? There are so many questions which deserve answers. We will share with you our knowledge about several forms of hereditary ataxias in order to better reply to your questions. We will touch on different subjects such as professional care, scholarity, leisure and many others, which will permit you to achieve a better life. We will inform you about the most recent developments in scientific research. In short, lots of information that will comfort you in your need for knowledge. If you have questions, contact us by email. It will be a pleasure for us to reply. Good browsing.