NYC Chapter Holds Another Successful Social Event
The NYC Chapter hosts two social outings each year, free to our members and their friends!
The NYC Chapter held it’s first magic show social on March 1, 2008, at Tonys Di Napoli restaurant. Enthusiastic members of the Chapter filled the restaurant, happy to meet old friends and make new acquaintances and to share tips and experiences dealing with TS. “My medication controls most of my tics but the only one that still REALLY bothers me is my arm tic,” said one member. “I know EXACTLY how you feel.” said another.
During dinner, Michael Lee, our special guest Illusionist asked the people at one table for a wedding ring making them somewhat nervous. Everyone at the table was AMAZED as he took the ring and made it disappear only to have it reappear on a key ring in his zippered closed key case wow ! Michael has escaped a maximum security jail; he escaped a hospital strait jacket suspended upside down 15 stories up from a burning rope in under 3 minutes; He has had the honor of performing for Pres and Mrs. Clinton, as well as entertaining celebrities like Cher, Billy Joel, Rupert Murdoch and even read the mind of author Kurt Vonnegut.
Michael Lee did many more amazing tricks. He made melons appear from under hats, he made cards get smaller and smaller until finally vanishing, he guessed cards, and he had members of the audience unlock un-lockable locks.
But, Michael told us that he considers his greatest feat that of defeating Rheumatoid Arthritis. Diagnosed with the ailment at the age of 8, he spent months in tremendous pain and at one time spent over a year in a hospital bed. When doctors told him that he might never walk again, Michael became determined to prove medical science wrong. Thus began a quest during the next few years to overcome his disability through positive thinking, deep faith, diet and rehabilitation.
This can be an inspiration to us all. As Michael likes to tell his audiences, "Just as I was able to reach deep within myself and unlock my own hidden potential, I challenge everyone to search within themselves to unlock their untapped potential and to live life to its fullest. That is the real Magic of life."
Older Adults With TS Study
Lisa Cox, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical social worker and an Associate Professor of Social Work and Gerontology at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Starting this September 2008, Dr. Cox will be taking a sabbatical and will be using the time to study the impact that TS has on the lives of people older than 55. This study has been approved by the national Medical Advisory Board.
Dr. Cox's contact info
Phone: 609-652-4310
Email: lisa.cox@stockton.edu
YOUTH AMBASSODOR TRAINING AT SPRING CONFERENCE
Please call the chapter for an application. 646-202-9683.
What is the Youth Ambassador program?
The TSA Youth Ambassador Program gives young people with TS, their siblings, friends and classmates the preparation they need to speak about TS before their peers at school, sports leagues, scout troops, camps and after school programs. Understanding and tolerance are the program ' s goals.
What is the TSA Youth Ambassador Leadership Training?
The TSA Youth Ambassador Leadership Training is a two-day comprehensive program aimed at training exceptional teen leaders and their accompanying parent/adult guardian to teach others to become TSA Youth Ambassadors.
The preliminary agenda includes:
- support on public speaking
- guidance on how to present the program and presentation logistics
- a talk by one of TSA ' s leading physicians
- participating in TSA's annual Trip to the Hill
- ice breakers and other fun activities for the teens
Who should apply to attend the TSA Youth Ambassador Leadership Training?
Teens with or without TS can apply, as long as they are committed to the goals of the program and want to help promote understanding of the disorder. Also, the partnering adult does not need to be the teen's parent – they can be another responsible adult who has the consent of the parent. To be a part of the Youth Ambassador Program, it requires a strong commitment from both the teen and the parent/adult guardian to take the time to be trained and follow through on the program ' s responsibilities .
What are the benefits to being a TSA Youth Ambassador?
This is an excellent opportunity for interested teens to learn public speaking, build friendships with the other teens involved with the program, and represent the TS community by raising awareness through the many Youth Ambassador Program activities.
We would love to hear from you. Do you have any interesting news, accomplishments, stories, or upcoming events to share with the TS community? If so, please email us at: Chapter@tsa-nyc.org
