HR0932 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0932 LRB100 21334 ALS 37695 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The term Dystonia Encompasses a broad group of debilitating, incurable neurological conditions in which scientists have not yet discovered a certain cause, making this illness extremely difficult to diagnose; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 250,000 Americans are living with dystonia, making it the third most common movement disorder, only following essential tremor and Parkinson's disease; and

WHEREAS, The onset of dystonia is typically seen in early childhood, but can also begin later in life during adolescence and adulthood, and spans lifelong; and

WHEREAS, Currently, there is no cure for dystonia, only treatments to help ease symptoms, such as Botulinum toxin injections, deep brain stimulation, or other surgeries; and

WHEREAS, Recently, the Dystonia Coalition, a clinical research network for dystonia, has been established with support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Rare Disease Research, as part of the Rare Disease Clinical Research Network; and

WHEREAS, The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation recognizes September as Dystonia Awareness Month, and a nationwide effort is being made to have the White House recognize September as Dystonia Awareness Month; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize September 2018 as Dystonia Awareness Month and encourage research of this devastating condition in the hope that someday soon a cure is found.