Assembly Resolution No. 579

BY: M. of A. DeStefano

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2023, as Dystonia Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2023, as
Dystonia Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Dystonia is a disorder that causes muscles in the body to
contract and spasm involuntarily; individuals affected by this disorder
cannot control or predict the movement of their bodies; and

WHEREAS, Dystonia is characterized by persistent or intermittent
muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements,
postures, or both; the movements are usually patterned and twisting, and
may resemble a tremor; and

WHEREAS, This disorder is often initiated or worsened by voluntary
movements, and symptoms may "overflow" into adjacent muscles;
furthermore, dystonia is classified by clinical characteristics and
cause, including changes or damage to the nervous system and
inheritance; doctors use these classifications to guide diagnosis and
treatment; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of dystonia are usually chronic but may also
appear only during "attacks" or episodes, in which case the dystonia is
termed paroxysmal; sometimes symptoms occur only during certain
movements such as walking, speaking or playing a musical instrument; and

WHEREAS, These symptoms may also affect a specific part of the body
or many parts simultaneously, and may also be painful; and

WHEREAS, Although the cause of dystonia is not known, researchers
believe that dystonia results from an abnormality in or damage to the
basal ganglia or other brain regions that control movement; there may be
abnormalities in the brain's ability to process neurotransmitters which
help cells in the brain communicate with each other; there many also be
abnormalities in the way the brain processes information and generates
commands to move; and

WHEREAS, The third most common movement disorder following tremor
and Parkinson's disease, dystonia affects approximately 300,000 people
in North America; this disorder does not discriminate, affecting men,
women and children of all ages and backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Dystonia may be inherited or result from other health
conditions such as stroke, physical trauma, other diseases, or as a side
effect of certain medications; although there is no cure for dystonia,

treatments are available including oral medications, botulinum toxin
injections, and several types of surgery; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2023, as
Dystonia Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.