Good news :D

Well folks, today has been a rare, but fantastic, day in the world of Tourette's Syndrome.

I say rare because the usual reaction to my condition is not one of interest, but rather one of horror, disgust and anger towards myself. People try and avoid me. They see my tics causing my body to twitch, make noises, say things I don't mean, shout and swear and immediately judge me to be a drug user that has 'brought it on himself'. They do not want me near them. 

People laugh, point, stare, get angry, call the police to report 'a crazy bloke has escaped' and shout at me. I have had videos taken of me ticcing, by people laughing. Even mothers with their children have done this to me. 

This is my typical day in public. 

Today started like any other. I went through, yet again, the near impossible task of trying to avoid and ignore the small minded people around me as I went about my business in Yeovil. 

And I was doing OK until a group of 'chavs' arrived in the Borough, where I was sitting.

I've never had a good experience with this kind of group because of my condition and I was anxious, as you may expect as to the reception this group would give me when they noticed me.

Trust me, it didn't take them long to notice me. With my condition it never does.

They started...... "oi spazzer! go back to your padded cell!"

"hey retard! yeah you! You shouldn't be out in public!"

"anyone got a lead?! we need to tie this fella up so he doesn't get loose and kill people!"

Usually i'd take this kind of abuse because that's the kind of person I am. I don't fight unless it's needed and within the law, to defend myself and my property, another person their property, and to uphold the law. 

Not today though. Today I changed. Today I fought.

But not in the physical sense of the word.

Today I fought their prejudices and abuse with the power of mind and the gift of speech and conversation.

I approached them and enquired as to whether they had a problem with my disability.

They seemed shocked and didn't really know how to reply. I really don't think they expected me to approach them. The element of surprise had worked in my favour.

"um...yeah mate...you're crazy innit?" one lad said....in a manner that made me think he was already starting to question his judgement of me.

I politely informed him that I am not crazy, that I have Mental Health Conditions/Disorders but I am still a person, with a life.

The whole group seemed taken aback by this at first but then, one by one, they started to ask questions. Not rude, 'funny', abuse questions. Just questions. 

Questions about how my condition affects my daily life. How I was diagnosed and when I first showed signs and symptoms of the conditions I have. 

But that is not all. They asked me if they could buy me a drink by way of apology......and apologized. 

unfortunately I had to decline as I was on my way to work but to me their offer of a drink was more than good enough for an apology. 

Their attitudes changed from complete hatred and loathing of me, to genuine interest and even concern. They were even generous with their compliments when I told them that I hold down two jobs, including seeing to ill patients in Hospital, on wards and in Accident and Emergency.

I shook their hands, albeit a bit twitchily, and just before we parted way I left them with this:

"I, and others, may have a disability, but never diss our abilities"

I walked off and as I neared the end of the road I glanced back. They waved at me, smiling, and then ran to assist an elderly gentleman.

I can honestly say I have never felt so positive about a confrontation and have never been more convinced that words have the power to change.