Local Student Awarded International Essential Tremor Foundation Scholarship
Lenexa, Kan. (PRWEB) June 02, 2014 -- The International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) is pleased to award a $500 scholarship to student Kaleigh Knapp from Concord, N.C. for the 2014-2015 academic year. Knapp is one of four students from across the nation to receive a scholarship award from the IETF.
Currently pursuing a Communication Studies degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Knapp understands the challenges of living with ET through her own experiences and by watching her mother, who also has ET. “My mom’s positive outlook on living with essential tremor gives hope to those struggling with their diagnosis, teaching all of us that nothing should keep us from living our dreams,” Knapp said.
Knapp uses her daily struggles with having ET by motivating others as an active community leader. She volunteers for Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County and Orange County Rape Crisis Center, and is a member of Phi Beta Chi Sorority and the Pitts Baptists Church College Youth Group.
“I have never seen essential tremor as a disability, yet that is how it is seen in the eyes of other people. I see it as something that makes me unique,” Knapp said.
Essential tremor is a neurological condition that affects more than 10 million Americans. ET causes rhythmic shaking of the hands, head, and voice. ET is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, although eight times more common. ET is characterized by action tremor, making everyday tasks such as eating, drinking, and writing difficult if not impossible. There is no cure for this life-altering condition.
IETF scholarships are awarded to qualified students of all ages who have been diagnosed with ET, to lessen the burden of higher education. The scholarship can be used for supplies, books or tuition at licensed, accredited institutions of higher education (including trade schools) and are paid directly to the educational institution. For more information about the IETF scholarship program, please visit http://www.essentialtremor.org/about-the-ietf/scholarships.
About The International Essential Tremor Foundation:
Headquartered in Lenexa, KS, and founded in 1988, the International Essential Tremor Foundation is the leading organization in the world dedicated to those affected by essential tremor. The mission of the IETF is to fund research that will find the cause of essential tremor and lead to better treatments and a cure, increase awareness about ET, and provide educational materials, tools and support to healthcare providers, the public, and those directly affected by ET.
The IETF has distributed more than $750,000 in research grants, to fund 30 promising studies, in the search for the cause of ET. The Foundation has hosted numerous community awareness events across the U.S. to provide those affected with the basic knowledge necessary to become their own advocate when seeking treatment. And, the IETF also provides assistance to a vast network of support groups around the world. To learn more about essential tremor and the IETF mission, visit the IETF website at http://www.essentialtremor.org.
Catherine Rice, International Essential Tremor Foundation, http://www.essentialtremor.org, +1 888-387-3667, [email protected]
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