Type=image;ImageID=2327;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=Four mothers raising awareness of Tourette's Syndrome;TitleClass=strong;
Donna Emmerson, Lizzy Mienik, Jac Campbell and Eileen Darling dubbed their drive to all 52 English cities The Tourettes Awareness Challenge - and are aiming to complete their mammoth road trip in less than 2 weeks.
They visited Wolverhampton this morning (Monday 7 October, 2013), and met with Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities Councillor Elias Mattu, and the council's commissioning officer Kathy Roper.
Tourette's Syndrome is a neurological condition affecting the brain and nervous system characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements. The women presented Councillor Mattu with an information pack about Tourette's Syndrome highlighting subjects including health, education, employment and social support.
Councillor Mattu said: "We are determined to do all we can to ensure that our services not only understand but also meet the needs of people with Tourette's Syndrome, and we'll be ensuring that our social care service providers are aware of the condition.
"It was a pleasure to meet Donna, Lizzy, Jac and Eileen and we wish them well for the rest of their very important journey."
Donna said: "We intend to spread the word that there are people with Tourettes in every city in England - and they need understanding and support. It's a simple message, but we want people to know that it's a complex and much misunderstood condition."
Tourettes Action Chief Executive Suzanne Dobson added: "We need to greatly improve understanding of Tourettes amongst health, education and support services as well as with the general public. Sadly, too many people with Tourettes suffer stigma, isolation and lack of support."
- released: Monday 7 October, 2013