# About Us

**URL:** https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/about-us/5038
**Category:** Welcome
**Created:** [January 10, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/about-us/5038 "2011-01-10T14:23:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![BF\_Admin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/bf_admin/32/302_2.png) [@BF\_Admin](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/BF_Admin)
#### Post date: [January 10, 2011, 2:23pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/about-us/5038/1 "2011-01-10T14:23:25Z")

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**What is LivingWithAtaxia.org?**

LivingWithAtaxia.org is a dedicated patient-to-patient support community for families affected by Ataxia. LivingWithAtaxia.org is powered by [BensFriends.org](http://bensfriends.org), patient support communities for rare diseases, and is run by volunteer moderators who have been affected with ataxia.

  

**Who can join LivingWithAtaxia.org?**

If your family has been affected by Ataxia, consider LivingWithAtaxia.org your second home. LivingWithAtaxia.org, as well as the rest of BensFriends.org’s patient communities, is free for members to join.

  

**What is Ataxia?**

Ataxia is a rare, neurological disorder characterized by dysfunction on the different parts of the nervous system. People living with Ataxia usually have problems in coordination of muscle movements.

You can learn more about [Ataxia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ataxia) at Wikipedia.

  

**What is BensFriends.org?**

In 2007, [Ben Muñoz](http://www.avmsurvivors.org/profile/mga34vj8dzf9) suffered a rare form of stroke caused by an AVM. He was unable to find the support he needed during the most difficult time, so he created an online support community [AVMSurvivors.org](http://www.avmsurvivors.org) to connect with others like him. AVMSurvivors.org led to the founding of BensFriends.org, driven to provide patient-to-patient support communities for people living with rare diseases.

  

BensFriends.org is a network of patient communities for people living with rare diseases. Launched in November 2007, BensFriends.org provides valuable patient support by creating and running compassionate, responsive communities. BensFriends.org maintains dozens of patient communities and has changed thousands of lives.

  

You can learn more about BensFriends.org at [http://www.bensfriends.org](http://www.bensfriends.org/) or watch one of our  
videos at [http://www.youtube.com/BensFriendsVideos](http://www.youtube.com/BensFriendsVideos).