Kids Declare “Wednesday is TS Day!”

PR Log (Press Release) – Nov 05, 2008 – Wednesdays from now on will be known as “TS Day” for the 28,000 New Jersey children and families affected by Tourette Syndrome and associated disorders. Wednesday is TS Day! is a grassroots movement to raise awareness, create understanding and win support for programs to help individuals with TS is now underway.

    Speaking to hundreds at Rutgers University’s Life Sciences Institute, nine children with TS took the stage and launched the first TS Wednesday. New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome families, medical professionals and educators will take each Wednesday to spread the word about Tourette Syndrome any way they can- whether it’s talking to a neighbor, hosting a bake sale for NJCTS, or an awareness-themed contest.

    “The possibilities are limitless,” said NJCTS Executive Director Faith Rice, “The families, doctors and teachers we work with are so creative, I know they’re going to come up with some really fun and positive ways to show the public that TS is something we need to recognize and understand.” Tourette Syndrome is frequently misunderstood because of cruel and inaccurate media portrayals of the disorder. Wednesday is TS Day! is designed to face the stigma head-on, challenging the public to learn the facts about TS and associated neurological disorders like attention deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.

    Another component of the Wednesday is TS Day! campaign is to alert parents, doctors and educators to the signs and symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Right now, statistics show the average age of early onset symptoms is seven years old. Unfortunately for many families, it may take years for proper TS diagnosis. New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome is a resource to guide families through the process and provides a continuum of support to the child with TS, parents, siblings, teachers and doctors.

Visit http://www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org to learn more about NJCTS.