The Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada Asks Twitter Users to Experience Tourette Syndrome

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, June 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by tics- involuntary vocal and physical outbursts. Tourette Syndrome is a widely misunderstood disorder, and as a result, can be incredibly difficult to live with.

Starting June 19^th at 9AM EST, the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada (TSFC) is launching Surrender Your Say, a Twitter campaign to bring increased awareness to the disorder. The TSFC wants you to experience what it's like to have Tourette Syndrome by giving up control of your online voice- your Twitter feed. For one day, participants will experience tics, in the form of Tweets. When and what a participant Tweets will be random and out of their control, just like Tourette Syndrome. Every experience on Surrender Your Say mimics a day in the life of real people with the disorder, down to what is said, and the frequency of their tics.

"The biggest obstacle for people dealing with Tourette Syndrome is the attitude that people have when they see someone with physical and vocal tics. Without knowledge of the disorder, people are quick to judge. Surrender Your Say will help more people become familiar with the disorder and will help achieve the TSFC goal that all people who have Tourette Syndrome will lead quality lives as accepted and valued members of an informed, tolerant society."
- Cathy Wylie, TSFC President

This isn't the TSFC's first unconventional awareness initiative. In 2011, they successfully released @Random- an online documentary that showcased the lives of many different people with Tourette Syndrome. To show that Tourette Syndrome manifests itself differently in everyone, every person who watched the documentary had a viewing experience different from the person before them. You can watch the documentary at http://www.atrandom.ca.

Video with caption: "Video: Surrender Your Say". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9v1_eZTSDM&feature=youtu.be

For further information:

Links:

Surrender Your Say promotional video: http://bit.ly/11FG8n6
To sign up for Surrender Your Say: http://www.surrenderyoursay.com
Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada: http://www.tourette.ca

Contact:
Cathy Wylie
President, Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada
613-838-4145
president@tourette.ca