Mayor McCall proclaims 'Dystonia Awareness Month' in Travelers Rest

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – Travelers Rest Mayor Wayne McCall proclaimed September to be Dystonia Awareness Month in Travelers Rest.

Dystonia is a rare disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause slow, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The movements may be painful, and some individuals with dystonia may have a tremor or other neurologic features. Some forms of the disorder are genetic, but the cause for the majority of cases is not known.

The proclamation, which was read during the August Travelers Rest City Council meeting, is meant to raise awareness about the disorder “to help educate the citizens of Travelers Rest on the symptoms and treatments available for dystonia and to support finding a cure.”

Kelley Rainey, an area resident who suffers from dydstonia and is working to raise awareness about the disorder, was on hand for the proclamation reading.

“Everyone who has dystonia needs a support system,” Rainey said. “They need people who will listen and hold them during the horrific pain, encouraging them to hang on because it can become very depressing knowing this is now your life.”

For more information and/or to make a donation to be used for research, visit www.dystonia-foundation.org.