HUDSON, Ohio — Hudson resident Liam Clegg, who has Tourette Syndrome, is your typical athletic 9-year-old boy. 

What You Need To Know

  • 9-year-old Liam Clegg is battling Tourette Syndrome 

  • Akron Children's Hospital is one of the nation's leaders in care, treatment and research for Tourette Syndome 

  • For seven years, members of the Tourette's community have gathered for an annual "Together in the Community" night out 

“He loves to play sports,” his mom Megan said. “His favorite sport, I’d say, is between football and lacrosse.”

Tourette Syndrome is a disorder that causes people to have sudden twitches, movements or unwanted sounds that aren’t easily controlled — and can be triggered by stress. 

“He has what we call his consistent tics, which is the eye tic and the throat clearing tics,” Megan said. “And then we kind of see the other ones kind of come and go.”

Liam’s father, Ryan, also has Tourette Syndrome, and the two continue to face the daily challenges together. 

“He helps me go through it,” Liam said. “He’s probably the biggest reason that I’m able to live like this and be happy.”

The Clegg family is not alone. In fact, northeast Ohio’s Akron Children’s Hospital has nearly 200 young patients with tics and Tourette Syndrome. 

“There’s a lot of work that still has to be done in our community, for people to understand what is Tourette Syndrome, what is it, and what is it not,” Dr. Katrina Hermetet of Akron Children’s Hospital said. 

Hermetet is a pediatric psychologist, and six years ago she began a yearly tradition for her patients and their families to connect over their shared experiences called "Together in the Community Night Out.   

“To watch kids that have such an isolating condition meet each other and become friends with each other and be normal for one night, that’s truly priceless,” she said.

This year’s community event takes place Sunday afternoon at Progressive Field, and over 1,000 people are attending. 

Former Major league player Jim Eisenreich, who has battled Tourette Syndrome for decades and known as a hero in the Tourette community, will be the guest speaker. 

And as for his message to patents and their families…

“And it seems like it’s difficult at times, and in the end it becomes a speed bump that we go over, and then we’re going to move on,” Eisenreich said. “And I truly believe that. I believe that everybody has a gift, a talent or something.”

The Clegg family looks forward to the community event, one that will be beneficial to both patients and families alike. 

“Honestly phenomenal to see these kids and Liam be able to be themselves,” Megan said. “Because they know if they tic, they’re not going to be judged. They know that if they tic, they’re not going to get a funny look.”