A CARING mother has taken it upon herself to start a support group for people with Tourette's syndrome after her son - who has more than "89 different tics - was diagnosed with the condition.

Annie Vasconcelos, 39, from Collingwood Road, Colchester, has founded Tourette's Action Colchester, after her son Myles Vasconcelos, 13, was officially diagnosed two years ago.

From the age of seven-years-old, Myles’ parents have constantly fought for an official diagnosis for him.

Unfortunately, it took years of GP and hospital appointments, as well as a misdiagnosis of asthma before he officially received confirmation.

However, after being discharged, Annie and her partner Craig say they were left to figure out how to support him Myles themselves.

From there, Annie started attending online support groups with the national charity Tourette's Action, an organisation committed to supporting people with Tourette's across the UK.

Gazette: Family - Myles was first officially diagnosed with tourettes at the age of 13Family - Myles was first officially diagnosed with tourettes at the age of 13 (Image: Public)

Gazette: New - Tourettes Action Colchester had its first session in August. Annie has now organised a fundraiser for the support group on November 5New - Tourettes Action Colchester had its first session in August. Annie has now organised a fundraiser for the support group on November 5 (Image: Public)

Realising there is a lack of general help for the Tourette's community in the city, Annie asked for the organisation’s blessing to start a Tourette's Action Colchester support group.

After going through training and a DBS check, the group’s first support meeting was held in August at the Lakelands Community Centre, in Stanway, and four families attended.

Since then it has grown, and Annie’s group now has 22 attendees.

“GPs do not have much information regarding Tourette's, there is a lack of education across GPs in the whole UK," said Annie.

“There is no Tourette's specialist in Colchester, medically wise. There are lots of children with Tourette's and tic disorders which may be undiagnosed.

“To get a Tourette's diagnosis, you have to have three motor tics and two vocal tics that are persistent for a long time. Myles has over 89 different tics.

"Myles has ticked his whole life and being diagnosed has given him answers.

"He has received support from his school, St Benedict's, they are absolutely wonderful and really supportive.

Gazette: Group - Tourettes Action Colchester hosts a monthly session every monthGroup - Tourettes Action Colchester hosts a monthly session every month (Image: Public)

Gazette: Family fun - Tourettes Action Colchester's fundraiser on November 5 will have plenty of fun and gamesFamily fun - Tourettes Action Colchester's fundraiser on November 5 will have plenty of fun and games (Image: Public)

“But there is no support for people living with Tourette's in Colchester or the surrounding areas."

Now, Annie is holding a fundraiser on November 5 at St Stephen’s Church, in Canterbury Road, as a way of raising funds to help pay for her support group’s bills and activities. 

She said: “People should come to the event to learn that Tourette's isn’t just swearing and so they can support the local Tourette's community.

“It will be a great family event. Kids can use the bouncy castle, Stanway Primary School has donated some carnival games - it’s going to be a really big community event.”

Annie's monthly support group sessions are held on the third Sunday of every month between 10.30am to 12pm.