Greater Missouri TSA

Here’s your chance to meet and mingle with Brad Cohen, a nationally recognized educator, award-winning author, motivational speaker and subject of the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie Front of the Class.

Brad will host a fundraiser in the St. Louis area to benefit his foundation on Saturday evening, September 3 at Cardwell’s in Clayton. The event will feature a presentation by Brad, entertainment by magician Rick Silver, a silent auction, raffles, hors d’oeuvres and dessert stations. Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your tickets today.

More information is available here.

Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, friends, and other members of the support-network for TS families are invited to just us for a “Girl’s Night Out” on Monday, April 25. It will be an informal evening of support and fellowship. Bring a dessert to share and coffee, tea, or soda.

We’ll gather starting at 7 p.m. in the Gillis Board Room at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, 615 S. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141. We hope to see you there.

Join us at 7 p.m., Monday, March 28, to hear from a panel of experts about how you can help your TS child advance to the next stage of school and life.

The meeting will be held at our usual location, in the Gillis Board Room at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, 615 S. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141.

Topics will include the transition from elementary to middle school; from middle school to high school; and from high school to college. Our confirmed speakers are: Alice Hein and Mary Beth Graefe, both middle school counselors; JoAnn Noll, parent educator for the St. Louis County Special School District; and Lindi Mullins, access specialist for St. Louis Community Colleges.

At our February 28 meeting, we will be viewing videos of presentations from last year’s National Tourette Syndrome Association Conference. The topics include “Organization and Executive Function” and “Bullying.”

The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. in the Gillis Board Room at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center, 615 S. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141.

We hope to see you there.

Our next event for TS children and their families will be held Sun., Jan. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m. on the lower level of Destiny Church (1809 Des Peres Road, St. Louis, MO 63131-1407).

St. Louis native Marc Elliott will spend time with our group. Marc was born with a rare disease that left him with virtually no intestines. Then, at age nine, he was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. He now inspires audiences across the country with his life story and words of advice on tolerance and perseverance in the face of adversity. Marc graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and now lives in Boston.

Pizza and beverages will be provided and our group will have access to the gym for shooting hoops and other activities.

This event is free of charge, however, please RSVP by Jan. 14 to Maureen Downey (modowney1@sbcglobal.net) with the number of people attending from your family.

Our next meeting will be held Mon., Oct. 25, starting at 7 p.m. in the Gillis Board Room at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center (615 S. New Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63141).

Following our well-attended September Students’ Panel, we are bringing back the very popular “Ask the Doctor/Ask the Pharmacist/Ask the Educator” Panel. This year’s panel will feature Maureen Downey, a TS parent and pharmacist; Lynn Dunlap, a TS parent, former special-education teacher, and currently a psychological examiner with the St. Louis County Special School District (SSD); and Nanette Ford, a speech and language pathologist for SSD.

Bring your questions and concerns to this special session — and ask friends, family members, and teachers to join you.

Please make plans to attend our next meeting. In addition to hearing from a guest presenter, we will be electing board members and officers.

The chapter needs your involvement.

Check the Meetings & Events page for details.

The schedule for the TSA National Conference, April 15-18, is now available online.

We hope you will find the conference program interesting and relevant. Even for those who have been to the conference before, there are always new updates on perennial topics and new presenters to share their expertise. Time has also been scheduled each day for networking.

The conference registration page can be found here.

Joshua Camp can be a wonderful experience for children who have Tourette Syndrome and/or associated disorders and who have completed the third through eighth grades.

This year’s camp will be held June 13-17 at the Rotary Youth Club Camp, next to Lake Jacomo in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Check here for an application and additional information.

If you are interested in serving on our chapter board, please contact Maureen Downey at 314-892-0272 or modowney1@sbcglobal.net. She will forward your name to the nominating committee. Elections will be held at our Monday, April 26 meeting; details to be announced.