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 late chief minister of Andhra Pradesh (Dr.Y.S.R) who passed away recently. The meeting was well conducted and hosted by Miss.Shalini (Event manager of SAMAG). .
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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”

Environment which right now occupies an important part of discussions concerning Issues related with environment hazards etc in our daily lives hence its no wonder that the world community adopted June 5th as World environment day to address issues related to environment hazards,etc to everyone.

World environment day was conducted in India (Hyderabad) in a special way by planting of tree saplings in honor of Ataxia affected community from (SAMAG) India, the planting was done in a unique way as on each persons name the plants were being planted which symbolizes hope and Love and also generates the much needed awareness on Ataxia in Indian society.

This event was sponsored by Sri Narayani peetam Incoordination with Shera services (Hyderabad), (NAF) was also represented here by us and its activities was also shared among members who attended this event, Seek a miracle Ataxia group extends our sincere thanks to the event sponsors and a special mention about our young volunteers led by Satish Kumar, Shalini, Ramya, Jyotsana, Chandana,Srinivas,Sai kiran,Laxmi kanth,Govardhan and Vishnu who did a fabulous job with their services without whom this event couldn’t have been a success, Once again we convey our heartful thanks to our volunteers for their kind services.

IAAD meet started with the Indian traditional Lamp lighting by the eminent honorable chief guests - Mr. Mankena Srinivas Reddy (Chairman MIRD), Mr. Raja Reddy (Educationalist), Mr. Suresh (Nobel NGO), Mr. Dr. John Thomas (Medical Adviser - SAMAG).

The welcome note was given by Mr. Balakrishnan (SAMAG volunteer). Inviting honorable chief guest Mr.Mankena Srinivas Reddy to speak about the initiative.

Mr.Mankena Srinivas Reddy said SAMAG is one the best forums for spreading awareness and working towards welfare of Ataxians in India and later signing the proclamation recognizing International Ataxia Awareness Day, on September 25th . Followed by his speech, he proclaimed Mr. Chandu George (President of SAMAG) as the Andhra Pradesh (Indian State) Convener for Ataxia Group, as one of the wings under his Organization. He promised to take this initiative to all India level and bring the ideas of providing resources to the notice of higher dignitaries.

Dr. John Thomas shared information on what Ataxia is and how it can be identified and other handful of advises on managing life with it. He even stressed on a point of setting up a SAMAG Research Center and Rehabilitation Center to carry out research activities and come up with a cure, as well as to rehabilitate the affected persons to lead an better life independently.

Out of their experience, Mr. Chandu George and Ms. Nirmala shared their day to day activities and suggested few simple exercises for the Ataxians to make life better, furthermore the latest Research activities, Information and programmes being carried out by National Ataxia Foundation(USA) and other worldwide Ataxia organizations was discussed and shared with guests. It was a good note for the IAAD meet and an inspiring aspect for SAMAG that motivates us to disseminate a message across all Ataxians on Ataxia awareness and make them come out of their closed barriers.

The concluding note was given by Mr. Satish (SAMAG volunteer). He briefed about all the SAMAG activities that are carried out to promote awareness on Ataxia and explained the needs to achieve the objectives of SAMAG.

Finally the vote of thanks was given by Mr. George (Senior) to the chief guests and other associates for giving an opportunity to conduct this IAAD meet and taking their valuable time out of their busy schedule and more importantly for sharing their views on the occasion of this meet. He also thanked our SAMAG team for their collective efforts in making this event a grand success.

Please click here to view all the pics of our IAAD- 2008 meet.

St.Xavier's Church in India under the Parish Priest, Reverend, Vedharatnam invited SAMAG to share awareness on Ataxia among its community on August 31, 2008. SEEK A MIRACLE ATAXIA GROUP (India), which is a support group working for the cause Ataxia, in India, with its objectives as raising awareness to provide information on Ataxia and to work for the welfare of Ataxia victims in India.

The Ataxia awareness programme started with Priest Reverend, Vedharatnam inviting Chandu George of SAMAG to share words on Ataxia. First introduction was given by George (Senior) Parent of Chandu George (FAer). Later the Ataxia awareness meeting progressed with Chandu George explaining to members, What Ataxia is, such as its symptoms, causes and types of Ataxia, etc. and asking community members to come forward and support the Ataxia cause and endorse the views of SAMAG to share help for Ataxia members in India.

The meeting ended on a pleasant note with the Priest, Vedharatnam asking community members to contact and support SAMAG in its Ataxia cause and also other disability related issues, all the community members pledged to support awareness on Ataxia and support SAMAG in pursuing its future objectives.

ST.John’s Church in India under the Parish Priest, Pious Thomas Invited SAMAG to share awareness on Ataxia among the community on august 24, 2008, SEEK A MIRACLE ATAXIA GROUP (India) which is an support group working for the cause Ataxia in India, with its objectives as raising awareness to providing information on Ataxia and to work for welfare of Ataxia victims in India.

The Ataxia awareness Programme started with a Introduction from parish priest Pious Thomas who first asked the members “Has anyone heard about ATAXIA” he asked thrice the silence itself explained that no one was aware about it, then Priest Pious Thomas invited Chandu George of SAMAG to share words on Ataxia, Later the Ataxia awareness meeting progressed with Chandu George explaining to members what Ataxia is, such as its symtoms,causes,and types of Ataxia etc to asking community members to come forward and support the Ataxia cause and endorse the views of SAMAG to share help for Ataxia members in India.

The meeting ended on an emphatic note by the community members’ ad parish priest enthusiastically and eagerly accepting the awareness on Ataxia and joined hands to support SAMAG.

A warm welcome to everyone, I wish to share with everyone about the Ataxia awareness programme I managed to conduct along with my sister we both are (Faers) In last week of April, The programme was covered by Indian Media and was later telecasted in TV network across India.

The message I and my sister conveyed was raising awareness on Ataxia which is not heard or known much in India, also we conveyed the message “there is life in Ataxia” and furthermore my sisters holistic approach message drew lots of attention, praise and admiration for saying “First we should accept ourselves, then others will accept u” later we discussed about importance for society to come forward and work and encourage for the welfare of ataxians also we discussed on current Research on ataxia going on , Finally the programme ended on a happy note as the media emphatically said (after being with them we can say this means LIFE IS BEATIFULL) The programme was well received and appreciated by many patients, their parents, carers, Indian public who immediately queried about us from the TV channel which telecasted it. Since our idea was to pass on the message to people from remote corners in Andhra Pradesh (India) so the programme was spoken in Indian local language (Telugu) which is non-English

Media Interviews Chandu George (SAMAG)
To make this programme available to viewers everywhere I have posted this video in 2 parts in YOUTUBE Video sharing Network, To view this video online please visit the following links,