Proclamation 5822 --
National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Week, 1988
By
the President of the
A
Proclamation
Tuberous
sclerosis is an inherited disease whose neurological symptoms can run the gamut
from speech disorders, mental retardation, and behavioral problems to motor
difficulties and seizures. Small benign tumors may grow on the face and eyes,
as well as in the brain, kidneys, and other organs. In its most devastating
form, tuberous sclerosis leaves patients completely helpless and dependent.
Approximately
one in every 10,000 Americans has tuberous sclerosis, placing this malady among
the more common genetic disorders. Yet it often goes unrecognized. White spots
that generally appear on the skin early in life are one characteristic sign,
but symptoms often take considerable time to develop and are easily
misdiagnosed.
There
is currently no cure for tuberous sclerosis, but some of its symptoms are
treatable. Seizures may be controlled by new anticonvulsant drugs. Children
with learning, speech, and language disabilities may benefit from sophisticated
educational techniques. People with motor handicaps can learn skills to
increase their mobility and enhance daily living.
The
best hope for alleviating the suffering brought on by this disease lies in
biomedical research. The National Institute of Neurological and Communicative
Disorders and Stroke (NINCDS), the focal point within the Federal government
for research on neurogenetic disorders, encourages
studies on tuberous sclerosis. Some investigators are striving to develop
improved methods of treatment; others search for the location of the
responsible gene so that the defect that leads to tuberous sclerosis can one
day be identified, analyzed, and corrected.
Two
private, voluntary health agencies, the American Tuberous Sclerosis Association
and the National Tuberous Sclerosis Association, share with the NINCDS the task
of informing Americans about this disorder and stimulating more scientific
research. All Americans can take heart in the success of this cooperative
effort, which is fundamental to the conquest of this disorder.
To
further enhance public awareness of tuberous sclerosis, the Congress, by Senate
Joint Resolution 212, has designated the week of May 8 through May 14, 1988, as
``National Tuberous Sclerosis Awareness Week'' and has authorized and requested
the President to issue a proclamation in observance of the week.
Now,
Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the
In
Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the
year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-eight, and of the
Ronald
Reagan
[Filed with the Office
of the Federal Register,