Shiff Says

I have Tourette Syndrome, and in the 19 years since being diagnosed, I have never met anyone else with T.S.  

(Actually, my middle school band teacher was diagnosed with TS years after he taught me - I’d told him so - but because he didn’t think he had TS when I knew him, he doesn’t really count.  Also, I spoke briefly with amazingly bad-ass tic-er, Brooklyn City Councilman Jumani Williams, but didn’t get to see or hear him tic very much, and because we only shared about 45 seconds of conversation, he doesn’t really count either.)

I would like to have a conversation with someone else with TS.  To watch them tic, have them see me tic, and see if it feels any different than when I’m tic-ing around “normal” people.  

There’s a community out there that I would like to become a part of.  I’m not a kid anymore. At 27 years old, I’m pretty sure i’m not going to outgrow it (apparently sometimes a possibility), and on days when my tics are reasonable, i’m okay with that. but, after complaining to friends and loved ones about my tics and the physical pain they can sometimes cause, about the meds and their side-effects, and about the occasional embarassmant I still feel when tic-ing in front of strangers, i’d also like to be able to share it with someone who’s had something of a similar experience.  who can express not just sympathy, but also empathy.

Any takers?