By Zack Martino

Despite this, many don’t know much about TS. Only 10 percent of those diagnosed have the uncontrollable urge to use obscene language, which is the most commonly known form of the syndrome. 

With very little information out there, the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and impacted families have been asking New Jersey mayors to recognize every June 4 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day. This was the case for the Sobczak family of Hope Township.  

Erin and Stephen’s eight year old son Dylan was diagnosed in April. Dylan’s case of Tourette Syndrome causes him to nod his head, make noises, blink his eyes repeatedly and flex his wrists. Like other kids his age, Dylan does typical kid things like play baseball and he loves dinosaurs. 

Tourette Syndrome is unpredictable and symptoms are always changing. But without more knowledge in the mainstream, many people would never know that.  

This inspired the Sobczaks to send a letter to the mayor of Hope Township, Timothy McDonough, telling Dylan’s story and asking the township committee to recognized June 4, 2018 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day in Hope.