I decided to watch a Ted talk from a college student who has Tourette's syndrome. Like most of us, I have heard of Tourette's and far more often than not, heard about Tourette's in a derogatory sense. I'm sure you have all heard someone say "oh its like you have Tourette's" after having a small muscle spasm in your arm or stuttering over a word. The student gives his talk and proceeds to highlight what Tourette's is not, and creates a powerful message that it doesn't define him. He ends his talk with this quote, "It gives me great pleasure to say that I am Thomas White and i'm the one thats doing the talking and i'd like to say this to you. Embrace the life that you lead, let your talk be heard, and remember that each word is a celebration." Before watching this video, I did not really know what exactly this neurological condition affected. I assumed maybe some minor muscle twitches and some speech problems, but Thomas explains that what comes out his mouth is something that is in no way up to him, nor does he he wish to say the things he does. I chose to watch this talk to learn a little bit more about what having a conversation with someone who has Tourette's syndrome might be like. I also chose to watch it because I found it truly admirable that someone who cant control what comes out of their mouth would be giving a Ted talk.
I think what I have learned from watching this video that sticks out to me the most is what people must assume. What do strangers assume when Thomas cusses at them walking by on the street? I cannot imagine what this might affect as far as his own thoughts on himself and how he keeps it together on a day to day basis. I have seen slight affects of this as I dated someone for 2 years who had a stutter, and the way he struggled to order something at a restaurant, talk on the phone, or meet new people was one of the most heartbreaking things I could witness. It wasn't heartbreaking in the way that I felt sorry for him, it was the fact that he was so strong to have dealt with this his whole life and to still be able to make that daily effort. He would often explain to me how he felt that people must think he was an idiot for not even being able to order his own food. Stuttering vs Tourette's syndrome are most certainly incomparable, but the same in that the person affected is not able to speak the way they wish to. I also think its important to note that this does not affect intelligence in the slightest. I absolutely recommend to watch Thomas give his talk and to take it as a humble reminder to not take anything for granted.
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