Let’s get the word out about an important Tourette Syndrome bill in Congress!

As a father of two children with TS, I am reaching out to other parents of children with TS to help support a first-of-its kind legislation that would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the expansion, intensification and coordination of the programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with respect to Tourette Syndrome.

A copy of this bill, introduced in late 2011 by U.S. Congressman Albio Sires (D-NJ13), can be obtained by clicking here. This legislation seeks to establish regional centers of excellence across the country to conduct research into the cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control and treatment of Tourette Syndrome and associated disorders.

As of today, 36 Congressmen have co-sponsored this bill. I am asking you to help increase its support by reaching out to your member of Congress, and asking your friends and family here in New Jersey and around the country to do the same. Let’s get the word out and pass this legislation!

A simple and quick way to make your voice heard is to use the POPVOX system, which automatically allows you to write to your member of Congress in support of this bill. Here are the steps to take:

1. Click here.
2. Then, once you’re on the POPVOX page, click SUPPORT.
3. You then will be taken to a second screen “SEND A LETTER TO CONGRESS,” in which you have the option of telling your member of Congress a personal story or why you think this legislation is important. If you click “yes,” add the statement you wish to share. If you click “no,” you will be taken directly to the next screen.
4. Next, “REGISTER YOUR POSITION.” Here you enter your e-mail address, a screen name and password. An e-mail will be then sent to that address asking you to finish creating your account. That e-mail will include a link.
5. When you click on that final link, you will be taken to a screen to fill in information about yourself for your member of Congress (name, address, phone number). Your member of Congress will then receive an e-mail stating that you support the legislation (and will include the personal statement, if you wrote one).

We need this information to go viral within the Tourette community and beyond to ensure that lawmakers hear us, and additional funding is provided to help our kids, family members, and friends affected by TS! Thanks!

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