“Research makes all the difference in the world—but $12 million to $13 million at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) per year for dystonia is just not enough,” Smith told the group.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder which causes uncontrollable movements and abnormal body postures. An estimated 250,000 Americans are affected by the disorder.

The meeting, which was held at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, was attended by dozens of patients and family members from the central New Jersey area as well as members of the Freehold Township Committee, Deputy Mayor Anthony Ammiano, Committeewoman Barbara McMorrow, and Committeeman Lester Preston. The Liberty Oak Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, also performed at the Nov. 7 meeting.

The Central Jersey Dystonia Support and Action Group is run by Janice and Len Nachbar of Freehold, who recently spoke at a congressional briefing on dystonia organized by Smith in Washington D.C.  The Nachbars invited Smith to address their group.

In March, Smith led a letter signed by 20 Members of Congress asking Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriators to include dystonia in its Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP). DoD conducts a broad spectrum of medical research on various health conditions that affect military personal and their families, including dystonia.