Adam Tourette Syndrome Awareness 2023

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Hi, My name is Adam Farris and I have Tourette Syndrome, But Tourette Syndrome does NOT have me.

I was diagnosed with #TouretteSyndrome at the age of 6, And I am 35 years old now. In my teenage years, my #Tourette was out of control. I had loud hooting and shouting noises.

When I asked my parents if I could go out to public places like movie theaters and restaurants, they said yes. Whenever someone asked me about the noises or made a rude comment, I would just explain to them that this is who I am and this is what I have. If they would like to go somewhere else, then they can, but I am staying here and enjoying myself.

Tourette Syndrome has affected me in many ways. One of my former doctors put me on a lot of high-dose anti-psychotic medications for a long time, which then made me like a zombie pretty much throughout the day. I was sleeping too much and was not able to concentrate because of the medications I was on.  Eventually, this made my hands shake really badly.  We switched doctors and my doctor now is really great!

I also work at a retail store here in Houston, Texas as a cashier. Sometimes you may see me struggling at work. I may ask someone to help me out with bagging or help me bag the breakable items.  Please respect my request as this can be hard for me to accomplish due to my shakiness in my hands. 

Having tics is a little bit like having hiccups. Even though you might not want to hiccup, your body does it anyway. Sometimes people can stop themselves from doing a certain tic for a while, but it’s hard. Eventually, the person has to do the tic. I have Tourette Syndrome, but Tourette Syndrome does not have me. ” – Adam Farris

FYI You Are Not Alone if you are an individual with Tourette syndrome, there are support groups and other similar groups that you can join. do not feel left out, and don't allow anyone to keep you isolated. please get out into the public, and go to restaurants and if someone makes a comment or a grimace just let them know that I have Tourette's and this is what is called, and that you cannot help it.

According to the CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/facts.html

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a condition of the nervous system. TS causes people to have “tics”.

Tics are sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that people do repeatedly. People who have tics cannot stop their body from doing these things. For example, a person might keep blinking over and over. Or, a person might make a grunting sound unwillingly.

Having tics is a little bit like having hiccups. Even though you might not want to hiccup, your body does it anyway. Sometimes people can stop themselves from doing a certain tic for a while, but it’s hard. Eventually, the person has to do the tic.

Ways to support and help out Tourette's and The TS Community:

1. Get Involved with the Tourette Syndrome Association of America https://tourette.org/get-involved/give-donate/ 

2.  take the Tourette Syndrome pledge, To stop using Tourette Syndrome as a punchline. https://tourettepledge.org/ 

3. Join your local Tourette chapter https://tourette.org/resources/local-support/ 

4. Register to become a brain Bank donor as an individual with Tourette syndrome. And donate your brain whenever you pass away to research Tourette's .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}