Read on Twitter
Are you a Congressperson who failed basic etiquette lessons?
Well, then, guess what! You can disagree with someone without resorting to pathetic ableism.
Want to know some stuff about Tourette Syndrome? Read on!
(1/9)
Well, then, guess what! You can disagree with someone without resorting to pathetic ableism.
Want to know some stuff about Tourette Syndrome? Read on!
(1/9)
Most people with Tourette's DON'T yell profanity. That's "TV Tourette's."
Real life tics are more likely to be things like blinking, spinning, tapping, rubbing their arm.... Auditory tics might be a grunt, cough, whistle.
And THEY probably dislike the tics more than you do. 2/9
Real life tics are more likely to be things like blinking, spinning, tapping, rubbing their arm.... Auditory tics might be a grunt, cough, whistle.
And THEY probably dislike the tics more than you do. 2/9
Regardless of exactly what their tics are, many people with Tourette's live pretty much normal lives -- assuming the people around them aren't ableist jerks whose names rhyme with "Ned Ooze".
AND most TS patients are CHILDREN. Feel good about mocking children, Mr. Ooze?
3/9
AND most TS patients are CHILDREN. Feel good about mocking children, Mr. Ooze?
3/9
Many cases of Tourette's lessen, sometimes almost completely disappearing, with age. Tics can temporarily worsen or reappear due to stress, major life changes, exhaustion - but by adulthood many sufferers are substantially symptom-free.
4/9
4/9
While we still aren't sure exactly what causes it, we do know patients with Tourette's are more likely to also have ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD, or depression.
5/9
5/9
We know people with a close family member who has Tourette's are more likely to develop it themselves - indicating a likely genetic component.
And we know boys are more likely to develop it than than girls. But we don't fully understand why (yet!).
6/9
And we know boys are more likely to develop it than than girls. But we don't fully understand why (yet!).
6/9
We know it's a neurological condition with involvement from specific brain regions; tics are not something they're doing "because they want attention" and they can't "just choose" to stop having the condition.
7/9
7/9
We do know Tourette's symptoms can improve with medication and therapy.
We do know it's VERY IMPORTANT to not ostracize or mock people for their medical status. In fact, that's about the WORST thing you can do to someone whose symptoms are sensitive to stress and anxiety.
8/9
We do know it's VERY IMPORTANT to not ostracize or mock people for their medical status. In fact, that's about the WORST thing you can do to someone whose symptoms are sensitive to stress and anxiety.
8/9
So, whether you're a Congressperson or just a Twitterperson ... use your platform respectfully. A medical condition is not a joke, or a weapon to wield against those you disagree with.
If you're old enough for the TOS, you're old enough to know better.
DO BETTER.
9/9/end
If you're old enough for the TOS, you're old enough to know better.
DO BETTER.
9/9/end
