tourette syndrome association
of new jersey, inc.
198 West High Street • Somerville,
New Jersey 08876
Phone 908-575-7350 • Fax 908-575-8699
Web Site: www.tsanj.org • e-mail: NJTSA@aol.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY
17, 2005
TSANJ Board Member, Manchester United and US National Team
Goalkeeper Tim Howard to Appear on Cover of
World Tour Soccer 2006 for PlayStation® 2
SOMERVILLE , NJ - “Tim Howard represents
the success that an individual can achieve despite
suffering the lifelong affects of Tourette Syndrome,” stated
Faith Rice, president of the Tourette Syndrome Association
of New Jersey. “His stature as a role model
for children with TS will be elevated by his presence
on the cover of the new PlayStation® game.”
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced
the signing of Tourette Syndrome Association of New
Jersey Board member, Manchester United and U.S.
National Team goalkeeper, Tim Howard, to be the
cover athlete for the upcoming release of World Tour
Soccer 2006 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment
system.
Tim Howard is the former All-Star Goalkeeper for
the New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League
Soccer and current Board Member of Tourette Syndrome
Association of New Jersey (TSANJ). The 25 year old
native of North Brunswick, New Jersey is goalkeeper
for Manchester United, the premier franchise in European
soccer.
Prior to the 2001 MetroStars season, the then 22-year
old Howard revealed publicly for the first time that
he was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 11.
With that announcement, he made it his personal goal
to help spread awareness about TS, and to work with
children who have been diagnosed with the disorder.
He has accomplished this as a TSANJ spokesman, Board
member, and volunteer. His frankness, visibility,
and support enables children to see his success and
thereby establish goals for their future as productive
and worthwhile members of society. Among the highlights
of his efforts was his annual hosting of over 200
child members of TSANJ and their parents at a MetroStars
game at Giants Stadium followed by a two hour question
and answer session on growing up with and successfully
dealing with TS. He has also served as keynoted speaker
as the annual TSANJ Gala.
"As I have said many times, I consider myself
a great example of why Tourette Syndrome should only
be a speed bump, not an obstacle, in one's life," said
Howard. "It should not hold anyone back from
achieving anything they dream of.
My mission as a member of the Board is to continue
spreading that message, especially to children who
might need that inspiration." Howard continues
to address the needs of people with TS, both in England
and the United States. He was awarded New York Life
Humanitarian of the Year award and in 2004 was named
Tourette's Syndrome Person of the Year. Howard has
become a shining example, proving that obstacles
can be overcome, goals can be reached, or blocked
in this case, and dreams can come true.
BACKGROUNDER:
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological
disorder that is manifested in involuntary physical
and vocal tics. Symptoms generally appear before
an individual is 18 years old. TS affects people
of all ethnic groups with males affected 3 to 4 times
more frequently than females.
It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have full
blown TS and that as many as
1 in 200 show a partial expression of the disorder.
There is no cure for TS.
The mission of TSANJ is to support the needs of
families with TS, to advocate for individuals with
TS, and to educate the public and professionals on
TS.
TSANJ has a membership of 2,500 families and medical
professionals. The organization relies completely
on its membership, corporations, government, and
foundations to fund its mission.
Currently TSANJ operates 10 support groups at regional
medical centers across New Jersey; conducts awareness
training for teachers, school nurses, students and
community leaders; manages a TS help line for disseminating
information about TS to parents, teachers, doctors,
and others; sponsors a state-wide Family Contact
Program; and works with Rutgers University at the
nation’s only student clinician TS clinic,
developing support programs and treatments for families
dealing with TS.
PRESS CONTACT: Rich Reitman 908-526-1390 or 908-400-6061
Rich Reitman
www.thereitmangroup.com
908-526-1390
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