On Friday June 4, in honor of Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day, NJCTS presented sixteen scholarship awards to graduating New Jersey seniors. One of the recipients was Eric Baldwin, 18, of Mantua. Eric was also one of four who was awarded NJCTS Youth Advocate of the Year for his service to the non-profit.
NJCTS awarded scholarships to high school seniors with Tourette Syndrome (TS) – an inherited neurobiological disorder characterized by uncontrollable movements known as tics. As many as 1 in 100 people show signs of TS or other tic disorder which is frequently accompanied by mental health disorders including ADHD, OCD, and anxiety.
Baldwin first remembers experiencing tics at age five and was diagnosed shortly after. He has spent years as a dedicated NJCTS Youth Advocate. When he wasn’t advocating for TS, he was a part of his high school’s Latin Club, Robotics Club and National Honor Society.
“While I may not know where I’m going or what it will be like, I know that my unique experience with Tourette Syndrome and as a Youth Advocate will guide me, however my future will unfold,” He states in his scholarship essay.
Baldwin is a graduate of Clearview Regional High School and will be attending Franklin & Marshall College in the fall.
Academic achievement, community involvement and accomplishments all play a part in the NJCTS Scholarship Committee’s decision in selecting winning candidates each year.
“We could not be more proud of these young men and women and all that they have accomplished during their high school career,” said Patricia Phillips, Executive Director of NJCTS. “Every time we see our advocates, it inspires us all to work harder and be better. We congratulate and thank each one of them.”
NJCTS, the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Tourette Syndrome, is a not-for-profit organization committed to the advocacy of children and families with Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders. Dedicated to delivering high quality services to these individuals, the Center recognizes the importance of educating the public, medical professionals, and teachers about this disorder through programs and affiliations with public schools, health centers, and universities.
To learn more about Tourette Syndrome and the programs available from NJCTS, visit www.njcts.org.
