Tourette foundation launches kids contest
Posted Mar 5, 2010 By Kimberly Lochhead
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Tweet ThisEMC Events - In an effort to increase awareness of Tourette Syndrome (TS) among youth as well as adults, the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada's Ottawa chapter has launched a new contest geared towards sparking creativity and understanding of the neurological disorder.
"By involving children in a contest, it includes not only them but also parents and educators who get involved in understanding this condition," explained Jill Bobula, president of the Ottawa chapter. "Most believe TS is just about tics like eye blinking, head jerking, arm flapping, shoulder shrugging or vocal tics. Not all people even know all those things can be tics but tics can manifest themselves in many other ways. Most people who have TS are also affected by associative conditions, which include Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and anxiety."
TS affects one in 100 children across the country, with an average onset age of seven-years-old. It is characterized by motor and vocal tics and has no cure.
"Individuals try to hide them if they can because they don't want the public to think they're weird or laugh at them," Ms. Bobula added. "They also have at least one or more of the associative disorders and that is a lot to live with.
We want to create discussion around the table or in the classroom about children's mental and neurological conditions. The fascinating thing about TS is that when you understand it, you also understand and learn about ADHD, OCD, depression and anxiety."
Through creating an environment of understanding, compassion and acceptance, Ms. Bobula said the individuals affected by these conditions would come to realize they could also be important contributors to society just as well as those who are not affected.
"This is so important, especially today because Canada ranks as the third highest in the world for childhood suicide as anxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental disorders for children under the age of 18," she added.
Open to youth in Ontario under the age of 18, the contest requires participants to answer the question of what the syndrome means to them in the form of an illustration or poem. Art works will be judged based on originality of thought, ideas and the use of language and creative illustration. The top five winning pieces and 15 honourable mentions will tour local libraries and be showcased in the Ottawa-Carleton region. First prize is valued at $100, second prize is valued at $80 and third prize is valued at $60.
FUNDRAISER
To compliment the contest, on Mar. 21, the chapter will hold its second annual Trek for TS, a national fundraiser beginning at the Armoury at Cartier Square Drill Hall downtown, with prizes and food.
"Every family is touched by one or more of these conditions in one way or another," said Ms. Bobula. "The many faces that TS brings to so many people is what we want to share with the public at large."
For official entry rules and additional information, visit www.tourette.ca.
klochhead@thenewsemc.ca
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