Familiar Names and Faces with Tourette's Syndrome

There are many people who have TS and have still gone on to be very successful in life. Several of these individuals are even famous. Here is a list of some of the famous names who can relate to our Mr. B. ;-)

Howard Hughes (1905 – 1976) Howard Hughes’ symptoms were well-known. That didn’t stop him, however, from being brilliantly successful in both Hollywood as a film director and producer and in aviation, where he owned a number of airlines, and at one point held a number of air speed records as an aviator.

Howie Mandel (1955 – ) Voted one of the 100 best stand-up comedians of all time, Howie Mandel first became known for his role in the tv series, “St. Elsewhere,” and later for “Bobby’s World.”  Dan Ackroyd (1952 – ) It’s hard to know what accomplishment to mention first with Dan Ackroyd — his performance in The Blues Brothers, his role in Ghost Busters, his comedy in Saturday Night Live, or House of Blues, where people can hear great blues music. This talented actor, musician, screenwriter, and comedian grew up struggling with symptoms of Tourette’s and Asperger’s Syndrome. You can hear Dan talking about how these conditions affected him in an interview he gave on NPR. David Beckham (1975 – ) This talented soccer player (“footballer”) from the UK has publicly admitted that he struggles with TS and OCD:  “”I’ve got this obsessive compulsive disorder where I have to have everything in a straight line or everything has to be in pairs. I’ll put my Pepsi cans in the fridge and if there’s one too many then I’ll put it in another cupboard somewhere. I’ll go into a hotel room and before I can relax, I have to move all the leaflets and all the books and put them in a drawer. Everything has to be perfect.” (Source – The Independent Online, April 2, 2006). James Durbin (1990 – ) James Durbin has been one of the breakout singers in the 2011 American Idol season. He talked openly about his Tourette’s Syndrome and Asperger’s Disorder during his try-out and how his tics disappear when he is totally focused on his singing. Marc Summers (1951 – ) A popular tv host and entertainer, he had struggled since childhood from obsessions and compulsions, but didn’t know what he had until Dr. Eric Hollander came on his show as a guest. As Marc listened to him talk about OCD, he realized what he had. His book, Everything in its place, tells his amazing story. Jim Eisenreich (1959 – ) Jim is a retired major league baseball player who played with the 1993 National League Pennant winning Philadelphia Phillies and the 1997 World Series champions, the Florida Marlins. Although Jim had had Tourette’s since childhood, he wasn’t diagnosed until he was a baseball player. Jim donates much of his time to educating the public about Tourette’s and serves as a role model for many children. Tim Howard (1979 – ) Tim is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English club Everton and the United States national team. This talented athlete also played in the 2000 Olympics. Tim’s tics and compulsions were evident in elementary school, and school was rough for him because his classmates teased him and his teachers viewed him as a discipline problem. Dr. Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784) Dr. Johnson was a famous British poet, essayist, and lexicographer. He wrote the Dictionary of the English Language and The Lives of the Poets. Dr. Johnson’s unusual movements (most likely tics) and compulsive behaviors were observed by many of his peers at the time and described in such rich detail that there is little doubt that he had Tourette’s Syndrome with obsessive-compulsive features or even full-blown OCD. Dr. Johnson was also reported to suffer from depression throughout his life. It is also believed that Mozart had Tourette's Syndrom. You can read this article to learn more. Here is a much longer and descriptive article on Mozart's TS if you's like more detail.  And here is a link to a video showing the NBA star. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, also known as "Tic". It shows his tics, but also shows his mad skills. This man did not let Tourette's hold him down! Home The Blog About Stephen In the News About The Film Famous Tourettes Stephen’s Music Tourette Cam the YOU cam Contact   Famous Tourettes Click and Purchase Music! 50% of proceeds are donated to National Tourettes Syndrome Research! Throughout history there have been some famous people who have lived and succeeded with Tourette’s Syndrome. Below are some you might know. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) In late 1992, the British Medical Journal published an article by endocrinologist Benjamin Simkin, M.D. speculating that Mozart had Tourette’s Syndrome. Apparently he wrote several letters to his cousin Maria that contained many obscene words, especially words having to do with bodily functions. It has also been documented that he was hyperactive, suffered from mood swings, had tics, and loved made-up words. Despite these behaviors, we will probably never know for certain whether Mozart had TS. - See more at: http://www.synapticadventure.com/famous-touretters/#sthash.WgTdP61Z.dpuf Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - (1756-1791) In late 1992, the British Medical Journal published an article by endocrinologist Benjamin Simkin, M.D. speculating that Mozart had Tourette Syndrome. Apparently he wrote several letters to his cousin Maria that contained many obscene words, especially words having to do with bodily functions. It has also been documented that he was hyperactive, suffered from mood swings, had tics, and loved made-up words. Despite these behaviors, we will probably never know for certain whether Mozart had TS. - See more at: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml#sthash.4E37f3DO.dpuf Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - (1756-1791) In late 1992, the British Medical Journal published an article by endocrinologist Benjamin Simkin, M.D. speculating that Mozart had Tourette Syndrome. Apparently he wrote several letters to his cousin Maria that contained many obscene words, especially words having to do with bodily functions. It has also been documented that he was hyperactive, suffered from mood swings, had tics, and loved made-up words. Despite these behaviors, we will probably never know for certain whether Mozart had TS. - See more at: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml#sthash.4E37f3DO.dpuf CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) In late 1992, the British Medical Journal published an article by endocrinologist Benjamin Simkin, M.D. speculating that Mozart had Tourette’s Syndrome. Apparently he wrote several letters to his cousin Maria that contained many obscene words, especially words having to do with bodily functions. It has also been documented that he was hyperactive, suffered from mood swings, had tics, and loved made-up words. Despite these behaviors, we will probably never know for certain whether Mozart had TS. - See more at: http://www.synapticadventure.com/famous-touretters/#sthash.WgTdP61Z.dpuf Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - (1756-1791) In late 1992, the British Medical Journal published an article by endocrinologist Benjamin Simkin, M.D. speculating that Mozart had Tourette Syndrome. Apparently he wrote several letters to his cousin Maria that contained many obscene words, especially words having to do with bodily functions. It has also been documented that he was hyperactive, suffered from mood swings, had tics, and loved made-up words. Despite these behaviors, we will probably never know for certain whether Mozart had TS. - See more at: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml#sthash.4E37f3DO.dpuf  Sources: http://www.schoolbehavior.com/disorders/tourettes-syndrome/famous-people-with-tourettes-syndrome-or-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/ http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml

Opening up about Tourrette's - part 2

I went to school this morning not really sure of what I would say to all these third graders. They are B's friends. Most of them have been to our house. I have known most of them for almost 4 years and wanted to believe that they would understand. I was hopeful that they would be kind and not look at B differently, but have more patience with him and his ticks. A part of me, though, was scared. I was scared that they would look at B differently. Too differently to know how to act around him anymore. I was worried that some kids would make fun of him. They are kids, and you never know how kids will respond to things.

There was a note on B's classroom door which read "we will be starting our day in Mr.s Carnahan's classroom today. please meet in her classroom." All the kids were puzzled and speculating as to why. Some of them thought they were in trouble and were quite worried. It was kind of comical actually. They all went into the classroom and Mrs. Beeler's class (B's class) sat around a table which was off to the side or stood behind it. Mrs. Carnahan told her kids to put their coats and backbpacks away and quickly sit down. She said, "Mrs. Tolman has come today to talk to us about Tourrette's Syndrom." They all sit down and stare at me with their sweet faces. I know these kids. These are good kids. I felt comfort and peace, so I began...
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Who here has ever had the hiccups? (everyone raises their hands)
Who here has ever had the hiccups for so long that your throat or your tummy starts to hurt and no matter how many times you hold your breath they just will not go away? (most of them raised their hands)
Who has ever had an ich that was so awful you just had to itch it, or an itch that you couldn't reach and it drove you nuts? (everyone raised their hands)
Who here has ever had a sneeze that you felt coming and when it came you had to let it out, you could not hold it back? (everyone raised their hands)
Sometimes you can make the sneeze quieter (I demonstrate), but you still have to sneeze, right? (everyone nods their heads)
Sometimes that sneeze just comes out of no where and it's loud and forceful, right? (everyone nods, some giggle)
All of those things are muscle movements that you cannot control. You may be able to suppress them for a little while, or make them a little quieter, but you cannot control them. Our brains fire signals to our muscles and tells them to move in a certain way. Sometimes we can control those signals, like when I move my hand like this (I demonstrate), and sometimes we cannot control those signals, like when we sneeze, hiccup, or blink.

People with Tourrette's have what are called "tics". A tic is a muscle movement that they cannot control but it would be something you or I, without Tourrette's, could control.Their brains are firing too many signals telling their muscles to move in ways that the rest of us do not understand.
A very common tic is blinking. They blink a lot more than the rest of us. (several heads turn and look at B who is sitting at the table. I look to Ben too and he is looking up at me with his big dark blue eyes...blinking. I feel a lump form in my throat, but I continue on.) Sometimes they make throat noises that sound like little burps, or froggy noises, or clearing their throat, or a little cough (I demonstrate). Sometimes they have to stretch their neck muscles or arm muscles or any muscle, kind of like a yawn. We have all yawned, right? (everyone nodded) You know how a big yawn stretches your whole body, effecting almost every muscle? (everyone nodded) It is like that, they just need to stretch those muscles or move them in a certain way.

Some tics are like hiccups, they come out of no where and there is no stopping them. They just come when they come and they are done when they're done. Some tics are like a sneeze, sometimes you can feel it coming and can suppress it and make it quieter, sometimes it comes out of no where and you cannot suppress it. Some tics are like an itch, you can try to ignore it, but the longer you try to ignore it the more annoying it gets until you just have to itch it. Some tics are like a yawn, it comes from no where and it is a full body sensation. And some tics are like blinking, you don't even realize you are doing it. That is what it is like for B. B has Tourrette's.

(Now I start to cry. the principal hands me a tissue.)

However. Even though B has tourrette's and deals with ticks every day, all day. He is still such a remarkable kid. He is good at sports, at playing the piano, he is a good student, a wonderful son and sweet brother. He is a good kid.

And I think he's a good friend too.(everyone nods, they are smiling now) Who thinks B is a good friend? (everyone smiles and hands shoot up high instantly. They all look at B who is also holding his hand up. I laugh/cry. The teachers and principle are also holding their hands up. It was such a beautiful site!)

Thank you all for being such good kids and for being so kind to B. You are all good friends.
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I then look to Mrs. Beeler and she tells her class to say Thank you, all the kids from both classes say thank you. Then she excuses her students to go back to their classroom. I walk out first and hold the door. The assistant is the first to walk out and she gives me a big hug and says "Thank you. NOW I understand." Then several kids give me hugs and when B walks out he gives me a super tight hug. Oh! He makes my heart melt! Then Mrs. Beeler comes out, hugs me and then proceeds to tell me that she knows what it is like to have a child who is different and how hard it is to explain to people like that. She told me about her daughter through tears. It was a beautiful moment.

They all walk to their class and I start walking to my car. The principal comes up behind me and says "Thank you so much" and gives me a big bear hug. I go to my car, cry for a few minutes, letting it all out. And then go home.

Now we wait and see how the kids respond and act around B. Now we let go and let God. I know most will be kind and caring. I hope all will. I hope they do not act any differently around him. I hope they see how amazing he is and continue to love him.

Opening up about Tourrette's - part 1

It has been over a year since I posted on my blog. I really need to blog more and FB less. We hit a big milestone with B. It was finally time to inform his peers what Tourette's is....

Last Friday B came home very upset. He got in trouble in class and had to move his clip down (behavior chart in the classroom) for the first time this year. He was upset because of why and when he told me, I held him on my lap and cried with him.
His tourrette's ticks are getting worse. He does them more often and is having a harder time supressing them. He cannot even make through a prayer with out doing several of his ticks which cause pauses in his speech. It just breaks my heart. We have an appointment to talk to his doctor about it again.
What happened on Friday was; he was standing in line waiting to go back in to the classroom at the end of recess and his throat tick was happening. It sounds like a little frog sound or burp (the burp when your moth is closed) and the girl in front of him raised her hand and told the assistant teacher that B was burping. The teacher told B to stop. He couldn't stop but didn't know what to say. So the girl tattled on him again. The teacher scolded him in front of everyone and then made him move his clip down. When he feels upset (or excited, or tired, or stressed) his ticks escalate. Thankfully, right after recess he had to go to speech. It was just the speech therapist and him, she knows about his tourette's and was able to calm him. By the time he came back from speech, the tick had quieted.

I went in on Monday morning and talked to the teachers. I found out that B's teacher forgot to tell the new assistant (she has only been there for a couple months) that B has tourrette's. They both felt TERRIBLE when I told them what happened. The assistant asked me, "Then what do I do? If one child gets tattled on for "burping" but doesn't get reprimanded, then before I know it they all think they can burp and are doing it on purpose and I have no control." I told her I understood her valid point. I suggested that I come in and talk to the class about tourrette's.

So this morning, the soonest everyone could do it, both 3rd grade classrooms and the principal all met together first thing in one of the classrooms. I took ten minutes and talked to the kids about tourrette's. I think it went very well except the part where I started to cry in front of everyone and the principal had to hand me a tissue. The kids were all so sweet and understanding!

This is just one more chapter in B's young but eventful life. My heart aches for him when I think of all he has been through and all he will continue to endure for the rest of his life. My heart also rejoices when I see what an amazing, talented, and capable sweet boy he is. He is a fighter, he doesn't let his limitations define him or limit him! He is amazing at sports, extremely smart student, talented at piano, liked by everyone, a good friend and a sweet boy. He is fearless and will try things with a "can do" attitude and will keep trying until he figures it out. He is not easily discouraged, but he also has a soft heart and is easily hurt sometimes. He is one of the most compassionate and caring children I have ever met. He will cry if someone else is crying. He will stop playing football at recess just to help a younger student tie their shoes. He prays for his family members and his friends. He is truly remarkable. All of our children are. B just has to overcome the most to be remarkable. I do not think I would have the strength if I were in his shoes. He teaches me so much. I love him more than words could ever say. I love all of our children more than words ever could say. (yes, I am crying right now, my heart is so full!)