Local high school student awarded International Essential Tremor Foundation Scholarship
Lenexa, KS (PRWEB) June 09, 2016 -- The International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) is pleased to award a $500 scholarship to student Jack Peters from Redgranite, Wis., for the 2016-2017 academic year. Peters is one of four students from across the nation to receive a scholarship award from the IETF.
Since the age of 6, Peters has faced daily obstacles and challenges because of his tremor. From struggling with messy handwriting in elementary school to facing his peers on stage with a shaky voice, Peters never let his ET hold him back. Despite his voice tremor, his love for theatre shined while acting in five school plays. He actively participated in Theatre Club at school, achieved Eagle Scout rank in the Berlin Boy Scout Troop, and was a founding member of the Berlin B.E.A.S.T robotics team, all while maintaining a 3.6 GPA.
As an incoming freshman to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Peters looks forward to the new changes even though he feels he will be starting over. “Personally, I do not see this as a problem, instead I see [ET] as an opportunity to inform people about me and the millions of other people around the world who also have ET,” Peters said.
Essential tremor is a neurological condition that affects more than 10 million Americans. ET causes rhythmic shaking of the hands, head, and voice. ET is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, although eight times more common. ET is characterized by action tremor, making everyday tasks such as eating, drinking, and writing difficult if not impossible. There is no cure for this life-altering condition.
IETF scholarships are awarded to qualified students of all ages who have been diagnosed with ET, to lessen the burden of higher education. The scholarship can be used for supplies, books or tuition at licensed, accredited institutions of higher education (including trade schools) and are paid directly to the educational institution. For more information about the IETF scholarship program, please visit http://www.essentialtremor.org/about-the-ietf/scholarships.
About The International Essential Tremor Foundation:
Headquartered in Lenexa, KS, and founded in 1988, the International Essential Tremor Foundation is the leading organization in the world dedicated to those affected by essential tremor. The mission of the IETF is to fund research that will find the cause of essential tremor and lead to better treatments and a cure, increase awareness about ET, and provide educational materials, tools and support to healthcare providers, the public, and those directly affected by ET.
The IETF has distributed nearly $1 million in research grants, to fund numerous promising studies, in the search for the cause of ET. The Foundation has hosted numerous community awareness events across the U.S. to provide those affected with the basic knowledge necessary to become their own advocate when seeking treatment. And, the IETF also provides assistance to a vast network of support groups around the world. To learn more about essential tremor and the IETF mission, visit the IETF website at http://www.essentialtremor.org.
Patrick McCartney, International Essential Tremor Foundation, http://www.essentialtremor.org, +1 888-387-3667, [email protected]
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