Syracuse honors Tourette awareness month, councilor shares lived experience

A Syracuse City Hall banner and a Common Council resolution turned Tourette syndrome awareness into a public statement about belonging, not just symbolism. The council recognized May 15 through June 15 as Tourette syndrome awareness month, and a banner marking the campaign was scheduled to go up in front of City Hall on Sunday, May 31.

The recognition carried extra weight because it centered on Councilor Marty Nave, one of Syracuse’s most visible elected officials. Nave said much of his life has included being misunderstood, teased, or mocked for involuntary movements and sounds linked to Tourette syndrome, a neurological disorder marked by sudden, unwanted motor or vocal tics. His experience echoed the larger reality described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says children with Tourette syndrome face more bullying than children without the condition.

That is why the city’s action mattered beyond ceremony. Awareness in a place like Syracuse, where school offices, employers, neighborhood groups, and public meetings shape daily life, can help normalize what many families still do not understand. The CDC says supportive school environments can help children with Tourette syndrome reach their full potential, making the issue relevant not only to students but also to teachers, counselors, and parents in Onondaga County who are trying to navigate accommodations and stigma.

The observance also fit a wider national calendar. The Tourette Association of America says Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month runs from May 15 to June 15 each year, with a focus on raising awareness and social acceptance of Tourette and tic disorders. In Syracuse, the message was especially personal because Nave used his own experience to show that a neurological condition does not erase a person’s ability to serve in public office or participate fully in civic life.

Nave’s place in elected office also connected Syracuse to a very small group of public officials who have spoken openly about Tourette syndrome. The Office of the New York City Public Advocate says Jumaane Williams overcame the difficulties of Tourette’s and ADHD, and a separate public advocate release says Williams was the first elected official in the United States known to have Tourette syndrome. That made Syracuse’s recognition part of a broader conversation about disability, neurodiversity, and who gets seen in government.

The council’s action came during a busy stretch of city business, with a special meeting listed for May 27, a joint committee meeting for May 28, and a regular meeting scheduled for June 1. Against that backdrop, the recognition stood out as a reminder that local government can shape not only budgets and zoning, but also the public message about inclusion in Syracuse and across Onondaga County.