LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare
September 2016, 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 memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to declare September 2016, 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; further-
more, 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, Furthermore, these symptoms may 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 condi-
tions 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to declare September 2016, as
Dystonia Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.