Neuro Note 1: Tourette Does the Talking
I chose to watch the TED Talk "Tourette Does the Talking" because I understand what Tourette's can look like from the outside but wanted to learn more about what is happening (physically & mentally) on the inside.
Thomas White is a senior at the University of Notre Dame and his talk is comical yet informative. He explains that Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is characterized by multiple physical and vocal tics that last for more than one year. It can entail tics such as echolalia (the repetition of certain words and phrases) or coprolalia (involuntarily cursing).
Thomas describes a few uncomfortable stories in which he swears at his professor on the first day of class, fakes throwing up on young children, and grabs an old lady's butt all due to his Tourette Syndrome. He explains that while he doesn't necessarily enjoy the things that Tourette's causes him to do, he wants to convey that "a life can be had and a smile flashed" even under the most bizarre and uncomfortable circumstances. In the most selfless manner, Thomas states that simply because his trial manifests itself in a way that is obscene and visible, it does not diminish the challenges that others face. He goes on to state that together, we can acknowledge one another's vulnerability and hope to come together as human beings.
My favorite line of his talk is "every single action and every single activity transforms into something wonderful of who we are and what we can become." I found this line to be so representative of the whole philosophy of occupational therapy!! We work with individuals to do every day activities that are meaningful to them. These activities will show the individual and those around them who they are as well as the potential they have.
Thomas says that for a long time Tourette Syndrome was doing the talking for him, but now he is the one doing the talking. You can check out his TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0szLOMIt9SQ
Thomas White is a senior at the University of Notre Dame and his talk is comical yet informative. He explains that Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is characterized by multiple physical and vocal tics that last for more than one year. It can entail tics such as echolalia (the repetition of certain words and phrases) or coprolalia (involuntarily cursing).
Thomas describes a few uncomfortable stories in which he swears at his professor on the first day of class, fakes throwing up on young children, and grabs an old lady's butt all due to his Tourette Syndrome. He explains that while he doesn't necessarily enjoy the things that Tourette's causes him to do, he wants to convey that "a life can be had and a smile flashed" even under the most bizarre and uncomfortable circumstances. In the most selfless manner, Thomas states that simply because his trial manifests itself in a way that is obscene and visible, it does not diminish the challenges that others face. He goes on to state that together, we can acknowledge one another's vulnerability and hope to come together as human beings.
My favorite line of his talk is "every single action and every single activity transforms into something wonderful of who we are and what we can become." I found this line to be so representative of the whole philosophy of occupational therapy!! We work with individuals to do every day activities that are meaningful to them. These activities will show the individual and those around them who they are as well as the potential they have.
Thomas says that for a long time Tourette Syndrome was doing the talking for him, but now he is the one doing the talking. You can check out his TED Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0szLOMIt9SQ
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