The Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association has been around for quite sometime now. Over the years, we found ourselves in the pit of an overwhelming success and fulfillment. Seldom people feel to be working and loving their work at the same time but for us in the organization everyday became sort of an outing, a moment of merriment, a moment of unexplainable gratification. Although, we talk about one thing and one thing only---- Tourette Syndrome, but we get to meet a lot of people! Truly a remarkable feeling.
Days have been passing by in front of us. It’s a surprise how things turn out for the organization. And it is even more overwhelming to see people coming out of their shell and telling us---
“I am diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, I want to join your organization and meet people like me.”
Whenever we get to meet people especially those diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, our purpose, mission and vision are emphasized. And everyday is a realization that yes, we are doing exactly what needs to be done!
Recently was another joyous moment. Again, Tourette Syndrome was exposed in the media thru a television show called “True Stories” by Vicki Morales in Qtv channel 11 at GMA Network. Oftentimes TV show producers would ask people diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome from our community and these people are the ones being shown on TV. But this is the first where the featured person with TS came from a very popular public figure—Ms. Romina Sotto or popularly known as Apples Sotto, the eldest child of Senator Tito Sotto and actress Helen Gamboa.
Mino Sotto, one of the two sons of Apples, was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Apart from that, Mino exhibited hyperactivity which was the most pronounced symptom in the early stages of his disorder. Right in the beginning, he was also diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Eversince, Mino has been having these complex symptoms, Apples has always been very supportive and accepting of the disorder. It was even nice to know the courage that she has to give Mino a well deserved life.
One of the accomplishments of the Philippine Tourette Syndrome Association is other people’s advocacy for TS in the Philippines. It helps us expand our mission to create an awareness in the Philippines. We hope that more people will stand by the organization to make TS known in the country because while there may be technologies to fully study what Tourette Syndrome is all about---really--- love and understanding for people with Tourette Syndrome can already go a long way.
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