Effingham Noon Rotarians had the opportunity to learn about Tourette syndrome from a local student dealing with the disorder.
The Tourette Association of America states, “Tourette Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects children, adolescents and adults. The condition is characterized by sudden, involuntary movements and/or sounds called tics. Tics can range from mild/inconsequential to moderate and severe, and are disabling in some cases.
“Tourette Syndrome is one type of Tic Disorder. Tics are the primary symptoms of a group of childhood-onset neurological conditions known collectively as Tic Disorders and individually as Tourette Syndrome (TS), Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder, and Provisional Tic Disorder. These three Tic Disorders are named based on the types of tics present (motor, vocal/phonic, or both) and by the length of time that the tics have been present.”
The weekly guest speaker was Effingham High School sophomore Lincoln Ervin, the son of Ryan and Nancy Ervin. Lincoln and Nancy helped with the program, along with Effingham High School Principal and Noon Rotarian Kurt Roberts.
Fifteen-year-old Lincoln was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome when he was in third grade. Nancy said Tourette isn’t something you can catch; it’s a genetic disorder.
To give Rotarians an idea of what Lincoln deals with in class, they participated in a writing exercise. They were tasked with having to put their finger on the table periodically while still completing the writing exercise, which Rotarians did not find easy.
Lincoln recently earned the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet with some of Illinois’ federal legislators including U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and local Congressman Mike Bost to discuss Tourette syndrome.