Mysterious teen illnesses spread in NY
The mysterious illness which has affected numerous high school girls in Le Roy, NY is spreading.
The ailment, which produces Tourette’s-like symptoms, has now affected nurse practitioner Marge Fitzsimmons, 36, who is not affiliated with Le Roy High School, where the ill teens attend, but lives in the same area.
“It started out with sudden head jerks in the middle of October,” Fitzsimmons explained. She added that her ability to speak has been affected. Her illness forced her to leave her job in December.
Like the Le Roy High teens, Fitzsimmons has undergone testing, but no answers have been found.
“When it first started I thought maybe I’m going crazy,” she said. “As an adult, I can’t imagine these teenagers going through this and for anyone to think that they’re faking it at all. Try living a day in their shoes.”
Fitzsimmons has been diagnosed with conversion disorder.
Although she is seeking treatment, parents of the afflicted students still want answers.
Town supervisor Stephen Barbeau stated that the town board was reviewing a 1970 train derailment in the northeast portion of Le Roy which resulted in a massive spill of solvents. Some parents and environmentalists suggest that the spill could be connected to the current outbreak, although no evidence of contaminants near the school has been found.
