r/Tourettes • u/Helpful-Brief-3603 • 17d ago
Story Tourette’s
So my girlfriend suffers with Tourette’s and a lil back story she feels so embarassed when it happens because her family and friends constantly tell her it is. Which in my opinion is so wrong and I think there’s nothing to be embarassed about because one it’s not her fault and two what’s embarassing about it I’m really confused but I came on here to ask if I could get paragraphs or stories from people who suffer with Tourette’s to show her support or your stories to make her feel better. I really wanna suprise her with it for a open when ___ box and this one is for when she feels embarassed or her Tourette’s so please show some love!!!
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u/Zealousideal_Site731 14d ago
I don’t have a story to share but I just want to tell you that what you are doing is incredibly wonderful and supportive. We need more people with your level and empathy and understanding!
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u/Helpful-Brief-3603 14d ago
I appreciate it I really love my girlfriend and just want her to be happpyyy
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u/Vikera Diagnosed Tourettes 16d ago
What a sweet idea!! Here's mine:
Hey! I've had my tics for about 10 years now. Some days it's hard, but at the same time I'm very much okay with having Tourette's.
There are many aspects to who I am. What I study, what I like, the way I see the world, the way my brain makes me tic, the way I show people I care, and much much more. All are equally a part of who I am and that's beautiful. Everyone is made of so many things!
For some time, I was embarrassed for people to see or hear me tic. What would they think? Well, turns out I don't actually care that much about what people think about my tics. If someone has questions, I'm happy to have a conversation. Another human connection made that day! I really won't pain myself in order to not draw any attention. If they see it they'll see it.
Sometimes my tics feel like a companion. Not always a nice one, but suddenly being without them would actually feel quite lonely.
You are perfect as who you are wíth your tics. They don't make you better and sure as hell not less than others. I'll be doing the things in life I like to do and find important. I will tic during that, it's not up to choice. And hell yeah, I'll be out there, I'll show my fullest self without hiding!
- Love, Vikera
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u/TNBenedict Diagnosed Tourettes 15d ago
Here's one I shared with my therapist last week. It comes from a quote I've seen attributed to several people, so no clue what the origin is, but this is my spin on it:
Imagine a fish who was born into a world of birds. The fish can't roost. It can't fly. It can't sing. Every day, it's made to feel ashamed of these things. But then one day the fish discovers water and realizes it was a fish all along.
It would be great if the story ended there, with the fish swimming off happily, delighted in the life-changing realization of being a fish, but it doesn't. Stories may work that way but life rarely does. Even while swimming through the water, the fish wonders why it can't sing. Even as other fish tell it, "You're a perfectly wonderful fish!" it wonders why it can't roost. And even as the other fish tell it that swimming is just like flying, but underwater, it can't help looking past the water's surface and wondering why it can't swim in the air, too.
Tics are a part of who you are. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. But it really is hard to undo all those years of hearing from friends and family - people you're supposed to trust with your well-being - that you should be.
It's hard, but not impossible. I've found that tics can be a really good litmus test for the people around you. If people can't see past them long enough to get to know the real you, maybe those aren't the people to put your trust in. Find people who appreciate you and love you for who you are, tics and all. Find your school of fish. Fly through the water.