Girl living with worst ever case of tourettes | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

Bianca Sayers, a 16-year-old from Australia, suffers from the most severe case of Tourette's syndrome in the country. Despite various treatments, her condition progressively worsens, impacting her daily life and family. After learning about a life-changing deep brain stimulation surgery, Bianca opts for the procedure, offering her a chance at a more normal life. The surgery is successful, and Bianca experiences a remarkable transformation, feeling 95% better within a week. This story of hope and perseverance highlights the power of medical innovation and the strength of family support.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bianca Sayers, a 16-year-old from Australia, has one of the most severe cases of Tourette's Syndrome, which has caused significant disruptions in her daily life.
• 😀 Tourette's Syndrome initially manifested in Bianca at the age of three, starting with an innocent blinking tic, which progressively worsened over time.
• 😀 Bianca's tics are uncontrollable and include violent outbursts and swearing, making it challenging for her to lead a normal life, even with the support of her parents.
• 😀 Despite her severe condition, Bianca retains a bubbly personality, finding moments of joy, such as spending time in the mental health center's vegetable patch.
• 😀 Bianca's family has faced immense emotional hardship, with her parents, John and Leigh, feeling powerless to help and having to adapt their home to her uncontrollable tics.
• 😀 The family was eventually given hope after hearing the story of Geoff Matific, an American who underwent deep brain stimulation surgery to manage his severe Tourette's symptoms.
• 😀 Bianca decided to pursue a similar deep brain stimulation procedure, despite the risks, as her last hope for a better life and a chance at normalcy.
• 😀 The deep brain stimulation surgery is a highly specialized and risky procedure that involves placing electrodes in the brain to reset faulty neurons responsible for the tics.
• 😀 The operation, which had never been done before in Australia for Tourette's, took place at St. Andrews War Memorial Hospital, and Bianca underwent the procedure with high hopes of success.
• 😀 Following the surgery, Bianca's condition significantly improved, with her tics reducing by 95%, allowing her to lead a more typical teenage life, much to the joy of her family and medical team.
• 😀 Bianca's success story offers hope to others with severe Tourette's Syndrome, as she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuing to fight despite life's challenges.

Q & A

What is Bianca Sayers' condition, and how severe is it?

Bianca Sayers has Tourette's Syndrome, and she is described as having the most severe case in Australia. Her condition has progressively worsened since she was diagnosed at the age of three, resulting in uncontrollable tics and outbursts.

How did Bianca's Tourette's Syndrome affect her daily life?

Bianca's Tourette's made it impossible for her to attend regular school or participate in normal teenage activities. She had to live at an adolescent mental health center in Brisbane due to the severity of her symptoms.

How did Bianca's parents cope with her condition?

Bianca's parents, John and Leigh, struggled with the heartbreaking reality of their daughter's condition. They faced emotional challenges, including seeing their family disrupted and dealing with the physical damage Bianca caused in their home due to her violent outbursts.

What is the nature of Bianca's tics, and how does she explain them?

Bianca's tics involve sudden, uncontrollable movements and outbursts. She explains that her brain experiences a chemical imbalance, causing her to do things like hitting people or herself. She struggles with the feeling, unable to explain it fully, but describes it as something that needs to be relieved through actions like hitting.

What role does Bianca's family play in supporting her?

Bianca's family, especially her parents, have been incredibly supportive. They tried to manage her tics by restraining her, but it was clear that they could do little to alleviate the suffering caused by her condition. Their emotional strain was evident, as they longed for Bianca to have a normal life.

What was the impact of Bianca's condition on her family home?

Bianca's condition caused significant damage to the family home. Her violent outbursts led to broken doors and walls, which had to be repeatedly patched up. The family had to reinforce the house with steel, and the bathroom was notably damaged due to Bianca's frustration.

What breakthrough treatment did Bianca pursue, and why?

Bianca sought out deep brain stimulation (DBS), a groundbreaking treatment for Tourette's Syndrome, after seeing the success of a similar case. She hoped it would help her control her tics and improve her quality of life, as previous treatments had failed to provide relief.

What is deep brain stimulation, and how does it work?

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves placing electrodes in the brain, specifically targeting areas where faulty neurons cause the tics. These electrodes are connected to a battery that sends electrical impulses to reset the misbehaving brain cells, potentially reducing or eliminating the tics.

What risks are associated with deep brain stimulation surgery?

The surgery involves risks, as with any brain procedure. These include the possibility of a stroke or even death, as the electrodes must be precisely placed to avoid damaging vital areas of the brain.

What was the outcome of Bianca's surgery, and how has her condition improved?

After the surgery, Bianca showed significant improvement, with her tics greatly reduced. Within a week, she could walk without hitting and speak without swearing. Bianca reported feeling 95% better, and her family was overjoyed by her progress.