AKRON, Ohio — Like many young boys, Cameron Ware loves to have fun. Some of his favorite things to do include dancing and watching YouTube. “All energy, he cares about everyone,” is how his mother, Shana Ware, describes her son.

Cameron also happens to have Tourette Syndrome.

What You Need To Know

  • Tourette and Tic Disorder patients from Akron Children's Hospital had a chance to come together

  • Families had the chance to connect over their similarities

  • Akron Children’s Hospital is home to one of the only Tic and Tourette's services in the Midwest

Tourette's is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds that can't be easily controlled.​ He and his fellow patients at Akron Children's Hospital took part in the annual “T.I.C. Night Out.”

This year’s event was a drive-in movie, so families could remain socially distanced while still being together.

“That is probably one of the biggest things for him, is just seeing that he is not alone. When he realized he wasn’t the only one, that made him so much more comfortable in his own skin. It really did,” said Shana.

This was the fourth year the hospital hosted “T.I.C. Night Out” – which stands for “Together In the Community.”

Katie Lindsay is the director for the Tic and Tourette's service. She explained, “often, kids with Tourette Syndrome are misunderstood, or can even be socially isolated. So, that is why we made a “T.I.C. Night Out” event like this. On top of having Tics though, they have incredible super powers. They are often very intelligent, very sensitive and very perceptive, so they make great friends.”

But this night is not only beneficial for the children. Parents are also able to connect and share their experiences with one another.

"For me, it has been the biggest change of my life as a parent, because there is so much support here and so much help that has come from it,” said Shana.

Akron Children’s Hospital is home to one of the only Tic and Tourette's services in the Midwest.