American Dystonia Society was founded in November 2009 by a small group of people who suffered from Dystonia. The original Board of Directors has grown from the original 4 members to it's current size of 10. Nearly every form of Dystonia is represented on the board and director level positions reflect ADS's committment to the Dystonia Community. ADS advocates for and supports Veterans, Hispanics, and Young Adults with Dystonia. ADS will push initiatives and programs that will promote awareness on every level of government and the general public. Awareness is the key for raising funds for research for a disorder that could affect 350,000 to 1.3 million Americans. As Dystonia patients themselves, ADS's Board of Directors recognizes the need to provide support for Dystonians from the newly diagnosed to those who have long term Dystonia.
Dystonia is a very complex, highly variable neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions or spasms. An estimated 500,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Dystonia with an estimated 500,000 yet to be diagnosed or misdiagnosed, making it the third most common movement disorder behind essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. It is a disorder that knows no age, ethnic, religious, sexual, or socioeconomic barriers - it can affect young children to older adults of all races, creeds, ethnicities, or social status.
No comments:
Post a Comment