My Battle: Tourette's Syndrome©
-The Online Novel-
By: Bailey Womack

What if you were plauged with constant ridicule? How would you survive if your world was filled with immense physical and mental pain? Could you live with the daily merciless taunts? What if you were victimized by a disease that challenged your physical, mental, and social strengths? Could you win the war between you and your mind? This is the tale of my journey through the most extreme hell. I am Bailey Womack, and I have Tourette's Syndrome.

Chapter One- What is it:

Tourette's Syndrome (Also known as: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome or TS) is a severe neurological disorder manefesting in several facial tics and body tics or jerks which may begin in childhood or adolescence.
In some cases, vocal tics such as: compulsive speaking of obscenities, grunting, and growling as well as other bodily or facial tics may develop. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or "OCD" as well as Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder or "ADHD" go hand in hand with Tourette's Syndrome, meaning those diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome may also have OCD or ADHD.
Some Symptoms of TS include: Complusive Blinking of the eyes, and Twitches of the mouth. The vocal tics may include: Involuntary grunting, growling, sniffing, and throat clearing.
The tics can occur several times a day every day or up to several hundred times a day every day (This depends on the severity of the TS). ****Symptoms can disappear for weeks, and months at a time, or the symptoms never slow down. The severity of the TS fluctuates depending upon the amount or tics present.
Learning disabilities and many forms of anxiety are not uncommon in those afflicted with TS. Severe self-consciousness, mood swings, social impairment and discomfort, slow to rapid development of stuttering, and depressed mood can occur frequently with TS.
TS can be inherited as an autosomal dominant gene. Parents with TS have a 50% chance of passing it along to their kids, even if the tics of the child are dissimilar to those of the parent.
The most common diagnosis of TS comes from sheer observation of the neurological specialist or doctor. But, sometimes things such as an EEG or CT-scan are used to conclude the diagnosis. Treatment of TS depends of the severity of the tics. Medication is perscribed for severe cases, and relaxation techniques can be used by those with TS regardless of severity.
THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS A DIRECT QUOTE FROM THE, "nami: National Alliance on Mental Illness" WEBSITE. (www.nami.org)
"When a child’s behavior is viewed as disruptive, frightening, or bizarre by peers, family, teachers, or friends, it provokes ridicule and rejection. Teachers and other children can feel threatened and exclude the child from activities or interpersonal relationships. A child’s socialization difficulties will increase as he/she reaches adolescence. Therefore, it is very important for the child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being that treatment be sought as early as possible."


My Journey

Trapped in the spiralling blaze of doctors, pain, and ridicule, I must continue to wage war against my Achille's Heel; My weakness; My case of Tourette's Syndrome.

I'm a very positive person. I enjoy to read, write, and learn. Some of my hobbies include playing the guitar, drums, piano, and harmonica. I also have a passion for teaching Martial Arts. I have trained my whole life and have earned a blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do and Tora Do Karate. You might be thinking, "Well jeez, it doesn't seem like you have such a hard time afterall." Ahh but you are very wrong reader! (No offense...) Do you know why I do so much? Huh? C'mon take a stab out in the dark here! Ok...ok...I'll just tell you. (Don't be so lazy reader! Hah...) I have to keep myself busy, or else the severity of my TS worsens.. In order for me to successfully grasp control of my TS, I have to be moving, thinking, or doing something constantly. One thing that really seems to help my tics subside quickly is repetitive noises, sights, and touch. For example: Rubbing my fingers together; flashing images (not lights!); or repetitive beats in music.

Purpose of This Guide

For many victims of TS, repetitive uses of multiple senses serves as an "off switch" for tics. For others, it doesn't do a thing, however. The road to beating your TS is a long, painful, and bumpy road, but it is not impossible to finally reach the end of that road and find the bridge that leads to a life of control over your TS. Now, I'm not saying that it'll be easy. It won't be easy. I'm not going to lie to you, it will be very difficult and it will be painful. But, don't let that discourage you! Imagine being able to totally control your TS; That is your ultimate goal. And I am going to help you reach it using this step-by-step guide to help you control your TS with your mind. Afterall, the battle of You V.S. Your Mind is what determines your capability to beat your TS.

Getting Started

All you will need to get started is the following things:
- This guide
- Your heart
- Your mind
- A positive attitude
- A willingness to make a commitment

I am serious when I say that you need those things. If you don't want to make a commitment to beating your TS, then you should go ahead and close this book now because you'd just be wasting your time otherwise. In order to defeat your TS, you MUST be committed to do so. You MUST. If you make a commitment and know in your heart that you are going to beat your TS, then I promise you that you will be able to. I never thought that it was possible to control my TS, but I did.

The first activity that we are going to do is what I call, "Before the Tic." We are going to realize what it feels like right before a tic occurs. Some people can tell when a tic is going to strike, but others don't. Even though you may be able to tell when one is coming on, there is nothing you can do about it. So, take out a pen and paper and we'll get started.

Activity 1: Before the Tic
Step 1: Separate your paper into 3 columns.
Step 2: Label the *first* column "Before the Tic".
Step 3: In paragraph (or bullet) form, describe what it feels like right before a tic. (If you do not feel anything before a tic, describe how you think it would feel..)
Step 4: Read what you wrote aloud, (or silently if you prefer) and make any corrections, if needed.
Step 5: Think about what you wrote and move on to the second part of this activity

Activity 1: During the Tic
Step 1: Go to the second column of your paper
Step 2: Label the *second* column "During the Tic".
Step 3: In paragraph (or bullet) form, describe what it feels like during a tic. (If you do not feel anything during a tic, describe how you think it would feel..)
Step 4: Read what you wrote aloud, (or silently if you prefer) and make any corrections, if needed.
Step 5: Think about what you wrote and move on to the third part of this activity.

Activity 1: After the Tic
Step 1: Go to the third column of your paper
Step 2: Label the *third* column "After the Tic".
Step 3: In paragraph (or bullet) form, describe what it feels like after a tic. (If you do not feel anything after a tic, describe how you think it would feel..)
Step 4: Read what you wrote aloud, (or silently if you prefer) and make any corrections, if needed.
Step 5: Put this paper in a safe place, because we'll revisit the paper later on.

Let's Review

Ok, so, we just finished Activity 1. You may be thinking, "Ok..what now?" Be patient my friend. The next step is to believe that you can beat your TS. If you don't think you can beat it, then you won't. Your thoughts are the puppeteers of your life. Meaning, if you think, "My life sucks!", then sure enough your life IS gonna suck. So lets throw out those negative thoughts and feeling, shall we?

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us 'universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)