Sneezing girl's plea for help on 'Today'

NEW YORK - The Chesapeake girl who can't stop sneezing took her plea for help to the nation Wednesday morning.

WAVY News 10 highlighted Lauren Johnson's condition on Monday. The 12-year old sneezes about 12,000 times a day.

Desperate for help, she and her mother sat down with Dr. Nancy Snyderman on NBC's
"Today" show.

"I think we just have to sort of step back for a second," Snyderman said after seeing Lauren. But what she pointed out to NBC Today Show anchor Anne Currie wasn't what you might have expected.

"I just don't think this is a sneeze," proclaimed Snyderman. "A classic sneeze, you sneeze your eyes close and you have some spray out of your nose."

But with Lauren, the sneeze is through her mouth, not her nose.

Dr Snyderman believes Lauren has an involuntary tick, perhaps caused by something psychological.  Whatever it is, Snyderman affirms its very rare and not contagious.

"This is the time when this family needs support," she said.

Lynn, Lauren's mother, believes more media exposure is needed to find someone who knows exactly what is afflicting her daughter.

"Exposure is the key, but its exhausting," Lynn told WAVY News 10.

One bright spot for Lauren's "Today" show appearance, she got to meet both Jon Bon Jovi and Andre Aggassi.

And while TV can hide the truth, in Lauren's case, everyone hopes it will help reveal it - and a cure.