It seems that nearly every child with TS can tell you heart-breaking stories of being ostracized by their peers, taunted, teased, and isolated. Childish cruelty is a reality that many Tourette kids must deal with on a daily basis. The Tourette Syndrome Association encourages children and parents to talk about their TS with their friends and classmates. They urge them to give a short talk to their class about what their specific condition is like and that way there is an understanding. This makes a lot of sense and will help to make them feel more comfortable (TSA).
The media has also found a fascination with Coprolalia. It has been featured in movies such as, Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo, and What About Bob. Leading to the image of Tourette syndrome as the “cursing disease”. This is misleading as only a minority actually ever develops it. In this case the public’s image is largely due to media fascination with the more extreme or unusual cases. Some with Tourette find that difficult to watch. In this case a woman with Tourette finds it offending when a comment in the movie, What about Bob, strikes her anger. “I count it personally offensive for his lead character to have told the child in the movie that having Tourette was worse than dying” (Rowley 23). The TS individuals seem to understand that the syndrome is miss-portrayed as nothing but coprolalia. Although the public without the facts, is left to the medias education.
Because of the fact it is socially outrageous it is often exploited for shock comedic effect in the media. As a result it seems many people believe it to be just that. This misconception furthers the development of a more complete public understanding of the disorder. This seems to be the goal of TS organization groups such as the Tourrette Syndrome Association. They recently held a dinner benefit for TS research. Attending were stars such as John Lithgow the star from TV’s Third Rock from the Sun. “I am honored that I can help people understand what Tourette is, because so often it’s even a mystery to those that have it”, Lithgow commented (Health News). Some can see the media as a blessing as well. Janet Ungar the executive director takes an interesting view on media. “Sometimes there are unfair portrayals, but generally, we love the media attention because of the extraordinary awareness it generates. Hollywood has given us the opportunity to educate thousands of people who would otherwise know nothing”(Health News).
Today people with TS are probing their excellence in many different fields. Among these are several well-known sports figures. Mahmound Abudul Rauf of Louisiana State University basketball and an All American in 1988 has TS. And although he often complains that he has difficulties getting ready for the games. Things such as getting dressed and tying his shoes sometimes pose as a problem. But when he plays the game you can see it doesn’t hinder his athletic ability. (Bruun 158)
In the March 16, 1992 edition of the New Yorker magazine, Dr. Oliver Sacks told the true story of a Canadian surgeon with severe Tourette’s symptoms. Dr. Sacks wrote:
We find people with Tourette’s sometimes the most severe Tourette’s in virtually every walk of life. There are Tourettic writers, mathematicians, musicians, actors, dj’s, construction worker, mechanics, and great athletes. Some things, one might think, would be completely out of the question-above all, perhaps, the intricate, precise, and steady work of a surgeon. This would have been my own belief not so long ago. But now, improbably, I know five surgeons with Tourette’s.
In conclusion there are plenty of people with Tourette that have extremely successful lives, both with and without medication. Following the media you can find truth, lies, and injustice. And there will be those who read this and become thankful and feel so privileged to have a normal life. The fact is no one really has a truly “normal” life. A person’s aspiration should be encouraged that are as high as a person’s natural ability and talents deserve. With greater understanding and improved treatment, life with Tourette syndrome will become easier and happier.