fara Australia is a not for profit organisation established in 2003 to support research into treatments and a cure for Friedreich Ataxia (FA). What is Friedreich Ataxia? Friedreich Ataxia is a genetic, debilitating, life shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. FA affects about 1 in 30,000 people in Australia and New Zealand, and 1 in 90 people are carriers of the gene. It is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 18 years and robs children and young adults of their mobility, with most being wheelchair bound within 10 years of diagnosis. FA leads to loss of muscle co-ordination, fatigue, vision impairment, hearing loss and slurred speech, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), diabetes and serious heart conditions. Although there has been significant progress towards treatments, today there is no cure