|
Origins |
|
|
 In 1972, Claude St-Jean, following an evaluation of his symptoms by
Dr. Barbeau (a prominent person in the neurological field), was
condemned to death. He did not accept it and in response to this
diagnosis decided to found a scientific committee in order to begin
medical research on the disease named "Friedreich’s
ataxia" (as described in books by
Dr. Nicolas Friedreich in 1882). During this era, doctors knew almost
nothing about the disease and their interest in research was
nonexistent.
The
same year, Claude founded CAFA. The holding of fundraisers was
necessary to assure the financing of eventual medical research as well
as to support a potential group of people presenting the same symptoms as himself.
In
2003, the organization changed its name following the discovery of
numerous other forms of hereditary ataxia. It was then decided to bring together everyone afflicted with a hereditary ataxia (with an
identified form or not) and to extend medical research to them.
|
|
About CAFA 
Fran?ais
to the CAFA – Claude St-Jean Foundation.
