TSA of Massachusetts Outstanding Volunteer 2008: Chrissy Joyal
Chrissy Joyal has been the heart and soul of the Massachusetts Chapter for the last several years. She is a mother of four beautiful children, one who is diagnosed with TS and others in the “wait and see” mode. She home schools her children while still finding the time to help run the Massachusetts chapter. She has played an integral part in the aid of Massachusetts families through her caring attitude and willingness to bring comfort to families in need. She has participated in the semi-annual TSA Trip to Capital Hill campaign where she and her son, Nathaniel, have lobbied for TS issues and appropriations. She has also led many fundraising efforts such as Macy’s Shop for a Cause (held in the fall) and the creation and donation of her beautiful TSA quilts for raffle at several TSA-MA events. Her work is enthusiastic, tireless, and invaluable to our chapter.
Chrissy Joyal (left) with Dawn Erickson raising funds for TSA.
National TSA Award Recipients
Zak Hollis Youth Achievement Award
Joshua Erickson, Recipient 2008
Twelve year old Joshua Erickson’s continuous work towards excellent grades in lieu of challenges directly related to Tourette Syndrome make his honor roll status in middle school especially rewarding. His self-advocacy work which includes media interviews, participation in a local documentary, classroom presentations to large school audiences, and a trip to Capitol Hill to lobby TS issues are among his greatest achievements for his TS awareness efforts. He continues to be a role model to other children with TS and is always eager to give advice and embrace friendships with children who are in need of a friend who understands.
Nathan Joyal, Honorable Mention 2008
Ten year old Nathan Joyal is the oldest of four children. He has TS and has been a great support to his siblings who show signs of various tics and co-morbid symptoms. During his last birthday celebration, Nathan gave guests the option between giving a gift and making a donation to Mass TSA in lieu of gifts. Through this thoughtful gesture, he raised over $100 for our chapter.
Joey Pelletier, Honorable Mention 2008
Fourteen year old Joey Pelletier has Tourette Syndrome and is a Boyscout. As part of his leadership project for the Boyscouts, he found a way to make TS known to teachers in his area. With the help of his troop and the local Moose Lodge, he hosted a presentation about Tourette Syndrome to over 70 teachers in the Chicopee School District, along with a spaghetti dinner and an educator’s video presentation. The teachers were awarded Professional Development points for attending, and Joey received a certificate for his presentation, which provides him with 2.5 professional development points if he decides to go into the teaching profession. He did a wonderful job and received a great amount of positive feedback from the teachers attending, who stated that they learned a great deal about Tourette Syndrome.
The Tourette Syndrome Association of Massachusetts is an all-volunteer organization with the primary goal of helping families affected by TS. Our services include the following:
Email Support Groups
(Some of these volunteers are also able to meet up with you if needed)
Lending Library
A video and book resource center with popular videos including:
The nationally featured HBO documentary “I Have Tourettes, But Tourettes Doesn’t Have Me,” which gives voice to children ages eight to thirteen who have this disorder by presenting a candid, wide-ranging look at the lives of children growing up with TS.
The “You’ve Got A Friend” video, a presentation about TS narrated by teenagers for school-aged children (great for classroom presentations for grades
1-5).
“A Regular Kid, That’s Me,” which was produced for educators.
“Twist and Shout,” a documentary by Laurel Chiten, featuring adults with TS.
For more information, please contact Chrissy Joyal by email at cjoyal@tsa-ma.org.
Web Site
Bookmark this web site address for the Massachusetts chapter: www.tsa-ma.org. Most informational materials are easily available from our national office at www.tsa-usa.org. If you haven’t already, we strongly urge you to become a member of the national Tourette Syndrome Association. You will support the services of both the national organization and the Massachusetts chapter, since a portion of your dues comes back to our chapter. You can find membership information on our web sites or by calling the national office at (718) 224-2999.
