I created this self portrait a few years ago, I was frustrated with my Tourettes and was still coming to terms with how this is just part of my life. I was irritated when I received no medical support after the efforts of my parents and myself, feeling like I'd just been shrugged off and not taken seriously
Art is one of the ways I've found helps with my tics. Giving my mind something to focus on reduces them and their severity quite a lot. When I created this piece my tics were getting pretty violent so I decided to draw and give my brain something else to do instead of beating me. So I put the frustrations I had with my condition into my work
My relationship with my Tourettes is much better now. Instead of getting frustrated with myself and feeling shame, I make light of the situation instead. After being denied follow up health care or support, I found my own ways of coping and managing. It's not always easy, but it's safe to say I've come far enough to not feel this way anymore. I think the short film I'm working on, Hide and Squeak, for my final year at University proves that
Comments