Our Stories
Meet Nicholas
“My name is Nicholas and I’m 13 years old. I love hockey, rock collecting and hanging out with friends. I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome when I was 7 years old and back then I didn’t think that anyone would want to marry me. My tics include jumping, sniffing, eye blinking, coughing and making some vocal sounds. I learned that I may have Tourettes but Tourettes doesn’t have me. I will achieve my goals in life.
Please donate to help support me and other children with Tourette Syndrome.”
Currently, Nicholas’s tics are:
- jumping,
- sniffing,
- eye blinking,
- coughing and making some vocal sounds.
Q and A with Nicholas
by Tourette Canada – Ottawa Chapter (TCOC)
TCOC: What do you want to do when you grow up?
N: I haven’t really decided yet but underwater welder is a possibility
TCOC: Does Tourette’s make it difficult for you to learn or play sports?
N: No
TCOC: Do your friends make fun of your Tourette’s?
N: Sometimes, but i don’t let it bother me.
TCOC: Do you know what your tics are? Do you know when you do them?
N: Yes I know what my tics are but sometimes i am not aware when i do them.
TCOC: Do your friends ask you about your Tourette’s?
N: No because Jill talked to my class about Tourettes and now they know.
TCOC: If you could tell another child that had Tourette Syndrome that was maybe having difficulties with friends making fun of them, what would it be?
N: I would tell him I have Tourette Syndrome as well and we could be friends.
TCOC: Do you want people to treat you differently from others?
N: No
TCOC: Do you tell people that you have Tourette Syndrome?
N: No
Meet Richard
” My name is Richard and I’m 14 years old. I love science, math, building things with my hands, scuba diving, playing the drums, doing parkour and playing video games. I have Tourette Syndrome but it doesn’t slow me down. Tourette Syndrome made me who I am now. I am creative, adventurous and very detail-oriented. I love puzzles and I don’t stop until I can solve them. I really didn’t understand my Tourette when I was young but with more knowledge, and community awareness, and the support from my parents, family, and friends, I have learned to accept myself and my Tourettes.
Please donate to help spread awareness of Tourette Syndrome.”
Currently, Richard’s tics are:
- Cracks his neck, and knuckles,
- eye blinking,
- making wide eyes and twitching,
- stuttering, and
- vocal tics (throat clearing).
Q and A with Richard
by Tourette Canada – Ottawa Chapter (TCOC)
TCOC: What do you want to do when you grow up?
R: Mechanical engineering.
TCOC: Does Tourette’s make it difficult for you to learn or play sports?
R: No, not at all.
TCOC: Do your friends make fun of your Tourette’s?
R: The occasional joke but no, not at all. I just share my story with my friends and they understand.
TCOC: Do you know what your tics are? Do you know when you do them?
R: Yes I know what my tics are and I am also aware when I do them.
TCOC: Do your friends ask you about your Tourette’s?
R: No.
TCOC: If you could tell another child that had Tourette Syndrome that was maybe having difficulties with friends making fun of them, what would it be?
R: If you feel that people are bullying you or teasing you about your Tourette Syndrome; you just have to tell them that you can’t control them and that is who you are.
TCOC: Do you want people to treat you differently from others?
R: Nope, I’m just like everyone else!
TCOC: Do you tell people that you have Tourette Syndrome?
R: No I don’t, unless people question what I am doing.
Meet Amelia
“My name is Amelia and I’m 8 years old. I love science, singing, swimming and playing with my friends. I have Tourette Syndrome but Tourette doesn’t stop me from reaching my goals. Tourette Syndrome doesn’t define who I am and what I’m capable of.
Please donate to help support me and other children with Tourette Syndrome.”
Currently, Amelia’s tics are:
- stretching of her neck,
- raising her right arm,
- eye blinking,
- making wide eyes and looking to one side,
- stuttering, and
- vocal tics (little squeaks).
The most difficult tic thus far has been the stuttering. This makes it difficult in class when doing presentations or reading out loud.
Q and A with Amelia
by Tourette Canada – Ottawa Chapter (TCOC)
TCOC: What do you want to do when you grow up?
A: So many things…maybe a scientist? Right now I really want to be a famous YouTuber though.
TCOC: Does Tourette’s make it difficult for you to learn or play sports?
A: No, not at all.
TCOC: Do your friends make fun of your Tourette’s?
A: No, not at all. It helps that Jill came to my school to tell my friends and teachers about Tourette Syndrome. I was able to show my friends what my tics were.
**From a parent perspective, after the annual visit, we notice a significant boost in her self esteem. There are no words to describe how thankful we are that this resource is available!
TCOC: Do you know what your tics are?
A: No. I don’t even know I’m doing them.
TCOC: Do your friends ask you about your Tourette’s?
A: Sometimes. But I tell them that it is not contagious and it just makes me unique.
TCOC: If you could tell another child that had Tourette Syndrome that was maybe having difficulties with friends making fun of them, what would it be?
A: Don’t let them stand in your way! Tell them you have Tourette’s and that inside you are just like them!
TCOC: Do you want people to treat you differently from others?
A: No, please don’t. I’m just like you!
TCOC: Do you tell people that you have Tourette Syndrome?
A: Yes, if I can’t sit still or can’t talk right away when someone asks me something I just tell them “it’s just my Tourette’s”.
**This year, Amelia told both of her teachers on the first day that she had Tourette’s – without any prompting.