Hunter Lindberg, a precocious 14-year-old who has Tourette syndrome, spoke today at a news conference in the office of U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., eager to answer questions about his condition.

“There’s a lot of misinformation that makes life difficult for people with Tourette. People with Tourette do not choose it, and it’s not a behavioral problem,” Hunter said in prepared remarks. “This is a chance to get the facts straight.”

Tourette syndrome is a neurobiological disorder characterized by tics, such as rapid, sudden movements or repeated vocal outbursts. About 200,000 people in the United States have the disorder, according to the Tourette Syndrome Association.

Hunter recently attended a youth ambassador training program of the association to learn how to educate others about the disorder. At the news conference, he emphasized his willingness to speak at school, church, club or other events.

Congressman Wamp spoke about the pressing need to clarify the many misconceptions about Tourette syndrome.

“The most important thing I can do is convene people to understand better some of the things in our world today,” he said.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.