STARS launches its crowdfunding campaign to make telerehabilitation accessible to people with hereditary ataxia

STARS, a project led by the University of Lleida and IRB Lleida (Spain), in collaboration with Hospital Clínic and the International University of Catalonia, has been one of 20 projects selected to receive guidance within the Santander X Explorer programme. It has just launched its crowdfunding campaign to support the development of a digital telerehabilitation platform aimed at people with hereditary ataxia.

People with hereditary ataxia face daily challenges in maintaining their balance, coordinating their movements and retaining their independence. One of the obstacles they encounter in their daily lives is the lack of rehabilitation programmes specifically designed for them, and those that do exist are often not located near their homes. This project aims to bring rehabilitation to the homes of people with ataxia through an accessible, personalised digital platform based on scientific evidence.

Furthermore, it is aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

‘It all began at the ACAH’s annual members’ meeting, when we were presenting the study’s findings and attendees told us they wanted to continue doing these exercises at home but needed supervision. Rehabilitation and exercise programmes should be accessible to everyone,’ explains Maria Masbernat, a researcher on the project.

With this crowdfunding campaign, we aim to build a community of individuals, associations, professionals and companies committed to driving the project forward and taking it further. We are looking for people with ataxia who want to participate in co-creating the platform, technology professionals who want to help improve the platform, or who can help us spread the word about the initiative.

Furthermore, every financial contribution brings us a little closer to our goal: to make specialised rehabilitation more accessible, personalised and sustainable for all people with hereditary ataxia.