Guest article – Tourettes action
Tourettes Action, a leading charity dedicated to Tourette Syndrome (TS), seeks nationwide support to dispel misconceptions and reduce stigma surrounding the condition. Running from May 15th to June 15th, with Tourette’s Awareness Day on June 7th, the charity urges everyone to participate.
Tourette Syndrome (TS) remains widely misunderstood, with many mistakenly viewing it as a rare, humorous behavioural issue stemming from poor parenting. Contrary to these beliefs, TS is a common, genetically determined neurological condition affecting 1 in 100 school-aged children, comparable in prevalence to Autism and childhood epilepsy.
Living with TS is far from amusing. Misconceptions often lead to the false notion that all individuals with TS involuntarily utter obscenities, further stigmatising those affected and fostering feelings of isolation. Tourettes Action aims to challenge these misconceptions and foster greater understanding during awareness month.
This year, Tourettes Action launches the #TourettesHurts campaign, shedding light on the unseen pain associated with TS: the relentless tic-induced discomfort, social exclusion, suppression-induced anguish, exhaustion, and lack of adequate medical provisions and support. They collaborated with the agency AML to develop five posters, each featuring a member of the Tourette’s community, to vividly illustrate these realities.
Emma McNally, CEO of Tourettes Action, says: “Through our campaign, Tourette’s Hurts, we aim to illuminate the genuine experiences of individuals living with Tourette’s. With over 300,000 people affected by Tourette’s in the UK alone, our objective is to foster an inclusive atmosphere where individuals with the condition receive proper medical, educational, and employment support without facing ostracism or alienation. Let’s utilize this opportunity to promote understanding instead of judgment—no one should feel excluded because of factors beyond their control. Join us, spread our message, and contribute to alleviating the challenges faced by those living with Tourette’s.”
You can find out more about how to get involved by visiting the Tourette’s action website Tourettes Action (tourettes-action.org.uk)
