Tourette Syndrome: A First Hand Look

I'd like to thank Liam for allowing me to repost an article that he wrote for his class newspaper.

I was first diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when I was in 4th grade. It was at first a little surprising, and a little relieving. I finally knew why I did those inexplicable movements and sound.

Have you ever had your leg suddenly twitch when you're in bed? And I do it, about 50 times a day literally.

I have always ticked, but the first few times I ticked after being diagnosed, it felt creepy. Most people thought I was doing it on purpose, even I thought I was, but it was m brain doing this. At that time, I didn't understand Tourette Syndrome, like I do now.

But I was nervous that other people would treat me like I was someone who had gone crazy overnight.  But everyone was ok with it. Friends of mine said "I think you should be friends with someone who has Tourette Syndrome as much as someone who doesn't, because they're just like anyone else." Ah...how true. We are just like anybody else, and Tourette Syndrome is NOT contagious.

One last thing, I just want to point out. The reason I have Tourette's. My nuerons are restless. Think of it this way. The little messengers in my brain don't take the coffee break they're supposed to. Instead they do something else. They make me scream, or shrug, or jerk or make weird noises. So, if you see me in the halls and I'm shrugging my shoulders, or if you hear me screech in bus line, don't be alarmed. If you think you see me having a seizure don't call 911. It's probably just a tic.

This website will help you understand TS better. Go to http://www.tsa-usa.org/ . Kids, click on "that darn tic" because you will find everything else boring, trust me, I'm a kid, I know! Adults, you should just browse, that's what my mom does.

If anyone would like to comment, I'd be happy to share with Liam.