Woodland student part of Tourette's documentary

Crews from a production company visited a Woodland Elementary District 50 school to follow a student who will be part of a documentary about Tourette's syndrome.

Bradley Wilinski, a student at Woodland Intermediate School in Gurnee, will be part of the documentary that'll focus on his mentor, Highland Park High School junior Ariel Small, who was trained as a Tourette's syndrome Association youth ambassador for Illinois in 2009.

PBS, in collaboration with the Tourette's Syndrome Association, is working on the program. Hourglass Productions brought its crew to the intermediate school Monday morning for the portion involving Bradley.

Small and his parents were honored at the Tourette's Syndrome Association's annual dinner-dance Nov. 11 in New York. Association officials said it was the first time a family was honored at the fundraiser.

Bradley also attended the festivities at The Pierre that attracted about 350 guests to the venerable luxury hotel on the edge of Central Park. He gave a four-minute speech about the challenges he faces and how Small has helped him.

Ariel Small this year played varsity football for Highland Park High, where he's enrolled in honors courses.

Small's family has been trying to raise awareness of Tourette's syndrome.

“We are working to shatter the stigma of growing up and living with (Tourette's), not only for our son, but for all those living with the disorder,” said Small's father, David.

Tourette's syndrome is a neurobiological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, rapid, sudden movements and/or vocal outbursts that occur repeatedly. The association says at least 200,000 Americans are believed to have the disorder that does not have an established cause.