Greetings from SAMAG:
Synopsis on IAAD-2009 conducted by (SEEK A MIRACLE ATAXIA GROUP) India.
By,Praveen, Satish & Chandu George.

Our past is a series of lessons that advance us to higher levels of living and loving. The relationships we entered stayed in or ended, and taught us necessary lessons ,similar has been the journey of SAMAG in serving all, Hello and a warm welcome to everyone the “International ataxia awareness day” is an international effort from ataxia organizations around the world to dedicate September 25 as international ataxia awareness day.
The goal of IAAD is for every individual to participate in some activity, creating awareness about ataxia. SAMAG celebrated IAAD-2009 here in India by conducting an Ataxia awareness meet with special attention on observing the importance of IAAD.

The meeting started with observing a 2minute silence in memory of our beloved Leader by all the late chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (Dr.Y.S.Rajashekar Reddy) who passed away recently. The meeting was well conducted and hosted by Miss.Shalini (Event manager of SAMAG).
The chief guests for this meeting were Mr. Prasad (Brigadier, Indian Army) and Dr.A.K.Meena (Professor of Neurology, Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad) and other dignitaries. SAMAG Volunteers received all the guests to Dais by presenting them with flower bouquets followed by lighting of Indian traditional lamp.
Miss.Shalini gave a brief introduction of IAAD 2009 & SAMAG supported by audio visual presentation of SAMAG which made participants of the evening aware in knowing the importance of awareness on Ataxia in our society.
SAMAG has come with awareness T-shirts for the IAAD meet 2009 designed by Miss. Jyotsna (SAMAG - D.Jo Creative Designer).
The first SAMAG awareness T-Shirt was presented by SAMAG president Mr.Chandu George to the young and promising volunteer Mr.Sundeep (SAMAG-Creative architect) for his sincere and outstanding service to SAMAG.Later on Mr.Sundeep presented SAMAG poem to audience penned by Sunder Seshan (FAer).
As the Programme progressed there was a small skit (drama) staged and enacted by SAMAG Volunteers. Led by Praveen (SAMAG- Theatre Artist), Sai kiran, Sandeep, Laxmi Kanth) highlighting the main theme which was to explain general people on Ataxia and its impact on the sufferers (ataxians) physically, emotionally and socially in our society (India), and convey the message on the important roles of self belief, positive attitude by ataxians, family, friends and society can inspire to lead a fruitful & Meaningful life.

Mr. Satish Kumar(SAMAG - Volunteer) who briefed about all the SAMAG activities that are carried out to promote awareness on Ataxia in India and appealed earnestly on the requirements to achieve the objectives of SAMAG. Mr.Satish Kumar presented the session in an Interactive manner encouraging the participants, Ataxians, their parents, caregivers and friends to Interact and share their thoughts Mr. Guru Prasad, Mr.Vivek, Mr.Karunakar, Miss.Nirmala participated actively in the Interactive session later on Mr.Rajaa a close friend of Vivek & Guru Prasad (Ataxians from Pune) conveyed his heart felt thoughts about his friend for which the entire crowd was moved and appreciated his honest feelings.
Later on Mr. Chandu George donated a wheelchair through SAMAG to Shiva Krishna (FAer).
Followed by signing of NAF (USA) and SAMAG (India) IAAD proclamations by chief guests Mr. Prasad (Brigadier, Indian Army) and Dr.A.K.Meena (NIIMS, Hyderabad).
Later on the chief guests honored ataxians by presenting SAMAG-IAAD Mementoes', Echo friendly bags, Awareness T-shirts to Miss. Nirmala (Hyderabad), Mr. Shiva Krishna (Hyderabad), Mr. Guru Prasad & Mr. Vivek (Pune, North India) Mr. Karunakar (Guntur).
The appreciation of participation was given to the SAMAG active volunteers (Ashwin,Janardhan,Vishnu, Murali, Vishal, Raghavender, Vivek, Ramya, Arpitha, Maha Laxmi, Bharath Raj, Manjula, and Srinivas) which were presented by Ataxians who have attended the meet.

All the Ataxians, their family members, friends expressed their heart felt words about the IAAD meet 2009 and SAMAG for taking such a good initiative in working for the welfare of ataxians and also working for betterment of our society.

Finally the vote of thanks was given by Miss. Shalini thanking the chief guests and the participants for sharing their views on the occasion of this meet and expressed her heartfelt thanks for the entire SAMAG team (Volunteers) for their collective efforts in making this event a grand success and conveyed special thanks on behalf of SAMAG to entire SAMAG Partners like Lions club of Charminar, Sri Narayani Peetham, Share a Service, NIIMS (Hyderabad), Image Hospitals (Ameerpet, Hyderabad), Confederations of NGOs of Rural India (New-Delhi), National Ataxia Foundation (USA), Babel Family (Europe, Milan, Italy) and our special mention of Lions club of Charminar who were the event sponsor and NAF(USA) for supplying with Ataxia Literature.

The programme signed off in a unique way by inviting everyone who attended this meet to sign on a petition chart pledging their support to work for welfare of Ataxia persons and promote awareness in our society, thus the programme ended on a happy note of entertainment and Dandiya (Indian traditional dance) by volunteers and other participants, after initial hesitation everyone joined in lending their moves to Dandiya Tunes. SAMAG aspires to serve the ataxia community and General society and inspire everyone to be helpful for others.
"Life is like a compass; It begins to end and ends to begin"

Best wishes,

Seek a Miracle Ataxia Group

www.ataxia.in

To view some Photos of this Event Online, Click on this Link Below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/samataxiagroup/BestPicsIAAD2009?feat=directlink