YORKSHIRE — Tricia Herman-Maul of Yorkshire has received a 2012 Ataxian Athlete Initiative grant, administered by the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, in partnership with The FA Project, Catrike, The Melting Pot and UVA Sun Systems.

The AAI provides adaptive cycling equipment to people with ataxia, who have expressed the desire to stay active. Friedreich’s ataxia is a rare, progressive and life-shortening neuromuscular disease, for which there is currently no known cure.

Applicants for the AAI grants were asked to submit an essay, describing their experiences with ataxia and their efforts to stay active. Individuals were asked to select the most appropriate adaptive cycling equipment to suit their abilities and describe how such equipment would help them to reach their fitness goals. AAI grants were awarded, based on the merit of the applications, equipment requested and funding available.

FARA is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization with a stated goal of accelerating research, with the intention of finding treatments and a cure for Friedreich’s ataxia.

For more information, visit www.curefa.org.