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5 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 21,2019 theifp.ca Little Grayson Ford- King looks like your aver- age four-year-old, playing with toys and having fun with his older brother. But he was only two when his parents realized that something was differ- ent about their baby boy. "It started with head- jerking and shoulder shrugging and turned into coughing, but he wouldn't be sick," recalled mom El- len Howard. "And over the past year he started hitting himself in the head some- times, and making throat- clearing/grunting noises." The local parent, who lives in Georgetown with husband Todd Ford-King, six-year-old son Jackson and Grayson, knew some- thing was wrong and booked a pediatrician ap- pointment, which turned up no results. "I ended up doing a lot of research, and all of his symptoms pointed to Tou- rette's syndrome," she said. After being referred to Toronto Western Hospi- tal's Tourette's syndrome neurodevelopmental clin- ic, the family's fears were confirmed. "I expected the diagno- sis, but it was still really upsetting," said Howard. "You go online and read the horror stories, and you're scared because you never know what you'll end up with." Grayson is among a small group of individuals with Tourette's syndrome, which Tourette Canada de- fines as a neurodevelop- mental or brain-based con- dition that causes people who have it to make invol- untary sounds and move- ment called tics. The rare condition is what inspired the Ford- King/Howard family to launch a local version of the Trek for Tourette, an annual five-kilometre walk held in communities across the country in sup- port of Tourette Canada. On Sunday (March 24), the first Georgetown in- stalment of the walk will make its way through local streets, with Grayson's parents and friend Andrea Butt - whose son Evan has also been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome - heading up the Tic Talk Walk team. In addition to raising awareness, the group is collecting donations that will benefit the services provided by Tourette Can- ada, including resources for schools and virtual support groups. While the team started off small and was original- ly going to gather at the Ford-King's home to kick off the walk, it has now grown to 40 participants and moved its start/finish line to the Furnace Room Brewery. Since receiving Gray- son's diagnosis, the family has been frequenting a clinic in Toronto to see psy- chologists who can help with other issues that come along with Tourette's syndrome. "The tics are just the tip of the iceberg," explained Howard. "Grayson is the sweetest kid who has a very bad temper. He can't deal with his emotions - ev- erything is very black and white." Grayson will also be starting a new therapy this summer designed to train his brain to do something else instead of specific tics; following that, the family may explore the option of medication, if needed. "For social reasons, (Tourette's syndrome) is really hard because he does it a lot, and it's a very intrusive noise," said How- ard, noting that school sit- uations where children are encouraged to be quiet are particularly challenging. "When he's about to tic, he said he feels like there's bugs or snakes in his throat. It's like when some- one is going to sneeze, and you don't get relief until it comes out." Almost $1,000 has been raised by the Tic Talk team so far - a number that far surpasses their original goal of $500. The group is meeting at the Furnace Room Brewery, located at 1 Elgin St., Georgetown, at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, with the walk getting underway at 12:30 p.m. Those looking to make a donation or par- ticipate can visit tou- rette.tng-secure.com. NEWS GEORGETOWN FAMILY RAISING AWARENESS OF TOURETTE'S SYNDROME MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com Georgetown's Todd Ford-King, wife Ellen Howard and children (from left) Jackson, 6 and Grayson, 4, will be walking in support of Tourette Canada this weekend. Grayson was recently diagnosed with the condition. Todd Ford-King photo We're Moving! 324 Guelph St., Georgetown (Plaza beside Tim Hortons) Coming Soon... visit our new location! New OptOmetry Office in DOwntOwn GeOrGetOwn Dr. Ben Giddens Dr. Andrea Kozma Dr. Stephanie Britton has opened a 2nd location at the mill Street medical centre. DOwntOwn GeOrGetOwn 83 mill St | 905 873 1867 metrO plaza 371 mountainview rd S | 905 873 1861 family eye care ServiceS Day, Evening and Saturday Hours | Same day appointments for urgent eye care. Please phone. GIDDENS OPTOMETRY Mark Your Calendar: Spring Rabies Clinic Sponsored by Dr. F Walker Location Premier Equipment, 8911 Wellington Road 124, Ospringe Cash Only Shelter 519.833.2287 Thrift Shop 905.702.8661 www.uppercredit.com info@uppercredit.com Charitable Registration #893738872RR0001 Date: Apr. 27, 2019 Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm