I Have Tourettes, But Tourettes Doesn't Have Me.flv

Summary

This video highlights the personal experience of a young person with Tourette Syndrome, detailing the neurological disorder's effects on their life. They share how the syndrome causes involuntary ticks like coughing, clapping, and head-shaking, emphasizing that it's not contagious or something they can control. The individual also discusses the challenges of social acceptance, the misconceptions about the disorder, and the emotional impact it has on them. Despite the struggles, they express a desire for acceptance and understanding, striving to live authentically and inspire others to embrace their uniqueness.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has Tourette's syndrome, a neurological condition that causes uncontrollable tics like blinking, coughing, and shaking.
• 😀 The tics are not voluntary, and the speaker sometimes feels the need to do certain actions, such as clapping or shaking their head, even though others might misunderstand them.
• 😀 Tourette's syndrome is not contagious; it does not spread through contact like shaking hands.
• 😀 Despite the condition, the speaker emphasizes that people with Tourette's syndrome are just regular individuals and not entirely different from others.
• 😀 Friends and family sometimes ask if the tics can be stopped, which the speaker finds frustrating because they cannot be controlled.
• 😀 Holding in a tic is compared to holding in a sneeze or cough — it doesn't feel right and can be difficult to suppress.
• 😀 The speaker feels pressured to hide their tics in public, sometimes engaging in activities like kicking a pencil or pushing on their stomach to alleviate the tension.
• 😀 The speaker believes educating others about Tourette's syndrome is important, sharing that one person telling others can create a ripple effect of awareness.
• 😀 Approximately 1 in 1,000 people are affected by Tourette's syndrome, and boys are more likely to have it than girls.
• 😀 There's no known cure for Tourette's syndrome, but medications can help manage the symptoms.
• 😀 The speaker hopes that society will become more accepting of people with Tourette's syndrome, recognizing them as regular individuals who deserve understanding and respect.

Q & A

What is Tourette's syndrome?

Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary movements and vocalizations known as tics, such as twitching, clapping, or making noises. It is not contagious and is present from birth.

How does the speaker describe their experience with Tourette's syndrome?

The speaker describes Tourette's as a condition that causes them to make uncontrollable movements and noises, such as shaking their head or clapping their arms. They emphasize that the tics are involuntary and not something they can control.

Does the speaker believe Tourette's syndrome is contagious?

No, the speaker clarifies that Tourette's syndrome is not contagious. If someone with Tourette's shakes hands with another person, the latter would not develop the condition.

How does the speaker react when others ask if they can stop their tics?

The speaker expresses frustration when people ask if they can stop their tics, pointing out that it's not a matter of choice and that they can't control the movements or noises caused by their condition.

What physical sensation does the speaker experience when someone tries to stop their tics by holding their head?

The speaker explains that when someone holds their head to stop the tics, it creates a feeling of tension and contraction in their muscles, which makes the tics feel more intense and uncomfortable.

How does the speaker try to hide their tics in public?

The speaker mentions that they sometimes try to hide their tics by kicking a pencil on the floor and bending down to do their tics in private. This helps them manage the tics without drawing attention.

What is the speaker's goal in speaking to their class about Tourette's syndrome?

The speaker aims to raise awareness about Tourette's syndrome, educating others on its hereditary nature and the fact that it affects both boys and girls, though boys are more commonly affected.

How does the speaker propose spreading awareness about Tourette's syndrome?

The speaker suggests that telling one person about the condition can lead to a chain reaction of sharing the information, potentially reaching millions of people and raising awareness.

What is the current medical approach to Tourette's syndrome?

The speaker mentions that while there is no known cure for Tourette's syndrome, there are medications that can help manage the symptoms and make the condition more manageable.

What message does the speaker hope to convey to others about people with Tourette's syndrome?

The speaker hopes to convey that people with Tourette's syndrome are not defined by their condition. They want others to accept them for who they are and recognize that they are still regular people, not defined by their tics.