Local Student Awarded International Essential Tremor Foundation Scholarship

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Sarah Kunz

Not even essential tremor can stop my dream.

Waverly, Minn. (PRWEB) July 10, 2014

The International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) is pleased to award a $500 scholarship to student Sarah Kunz from Waverly, Minn. for the 2014-2015 academic year. Kunz is one of four students from across the nation to receive a scholarship award from the IETF.

Currently pursuing a degree in American Sign Language Interpreting (ASLI) at St. Catherine University, Kunz uses her ET as motivation to help others despite the facing daily struggles. “I have a diagnosis of ET; it’s not a disability. It may be a challenge sometimes, but it empowered me to achieve my dream: I dream of helping the Deaf achieve their dreams,” said Kunz.

Kuntz succeeds as an academic scholar and an active leader within her community. She currently serves as a teaching assistant for ASLI at the University of Minnesota, volunteers for Love INC Big Woods and recently traveled to Ghana, Africa and East Asia as part of the missionary program for Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ). “Not even essential tremor can stop my dream,” said Kunz.

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.

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.

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.

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