September is Dystonia Awareness Month

(Pictured L to R – NYS Senator Dean Murray, Linda Tobin Davis, NYS Assemblyman Joe DeStefano)

(East Patchogue, NY) – NYS Senator Dean Murray and NYS Assemblyman Joe DeStefano attended the "Long Island Dystonia Zoo Day" at the Holtsville Wildlife and Ecology Center. They joined with Long Island families to promote awareness of Dystonia and to raise funds for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.  Senator Murray and Assemblyman DeStefano presented resolutions to Linda Tobin Davis, the founder of "Fight for a Cure," to proclaim the month of September 2023 as "Dystonia Awareness Month" in the State of New York. Ms. Davis holds this fundraiser annually in an effort to increase awareness and to educate people about this relatively unknown disorder.
     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.  “The cause of Dystonia is unknown–it does not discriminate between men and women, old or young. It may be inherited or result from other health conditions such as stroke, physical trauma, or even other diseases. It’s very important to have greater public awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, state, and national levels to find a cure,” noted NYS Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, 3rd Assembly District. "There is currently no cure for Dystonia, which is why it is imperative that we continue to bring greater awareness to this serious health issue.  I am proud to sponsor this resolution, in the hope that the increased focus on Dystonia can help lead to a cure,” said NYS Senator Dean Murray, 3rd Senate District.