Little-known disorder needs compassion





Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder characterized by severe muscle contractions and sustained postures. Its many forms affect different parts of the body, such as the neck (cervical dystonia), the vocal chords (spasmodic dysphonia), the eyelids (blepherospasm), the hand (writer’s cramp) or limbs (generalized dystonia).


This neurological movement disorder affects people of all ages, ethnic groups and sexes. The pain is described by sufferers as "constant, overwhelming and devastating."


There is an active ongoing support group for Dystonia sufferers in the San Fernando Valley. It’s open to people with all types of the disorder as well as their family and/or friends. The support group provides an opportunity for people to exchange information and to share their feelings. For more information about the group, please call (818) 344-9996.


For further information, please write: Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, One E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601-1905; call (312) 755-0198; or e-mail dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org.



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