Newfoundland Family Walks to Support Tourette Syndrome Awareness

April 8 was a brisk day at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange, but that didn’t stop the friends and family of Jameson Dougherty of Newfoundland from bundling up to do a few laps through the park to support the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders (NJCTS).

As many as 1 in 100 children and adults live with Tourette Syndrome (TS) or another tic disorder, including 9-year-old Jameson, who was diagnosed earlier this year.

“As a family, we started learning as much as we could about TS and found out about the walk,” explained Jameson’s mom, Alicia Braine Dougherty. “Jameson is the one who asked if he could do the TS walk. He helped pick the site we would walk at and also helped put together thank you bags for everyone who walked with us.”

New Jersey kids and teens are creating walk teams with the goal to spread awareness about TS through the NJ Walks for TS virtual event, taking place throughout April. Participants can walk wherever and whenever they like to bring awareness to an often misunderstood disorder.

Team Jamo raised more than $1,500 and pulled together family and friends from across the state to join them on the walk. Jamo is a nickname given to Jameson by his classmates and teachers at Paradise Knoll Elementary School who also supported his walk.

“Not only did many staff donate, but a couple of his teachers surprised him by showing up to walk with him,” Braine Dougherty said. “Another teacher sent him a video message the morning of the walk to wish him luck and encourage him. They have all been very supportive of him since his diagnosis. We are very grateful for the staff at Paradise Knoll.”

While walk day was dry and sunny, the unseasonal Spring day brought the cold and wind. But Team Jamo was not deterred.

“We all bundled up and walked to support Jameson. It was a wonderful time with family and friends walking for a great cause and a great kid! We are very proud of Jameson and everything he has accomplished for this walk.”

Proceeds from the walk benefit important NJCTS programs including educational outreach and youth advocacy training. Those who wish to support Team Jamo can still do so by visiting www.njcts.org/teamjamo. Learn more about NJCTS at www.njcts.org.