Comments on: New Website Launched

By: Jayden

Jayden — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:30:59 +0000

I have Tourette’s just like you. I am 8 years old and I’ve had tics all my life even before I was 1 year old. I don’t have a severe case like you, you can barely hear me. Most of mine are just hand motions. I like your movie front of the class.

By: Gissella Limon

Gissella Limon — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:05:22 +0000

I watched the movie and cried not because I was said but happy that my son nor I was alone. My son’s name is Eddie and he is 13 years old now. He started ticking in the 2nd grade and no one could tell what was happening. I also like Brad’s mom was divorced when Eddie was 4 years old and thought this was a result of the divorce. It took me to research the internet to find out what my son had. I could not believe what I was reading as a Detective and Law Enforcement Officer for almost 15 years at that time, we thought that Tourettes was a crazy person’s disease. I took Eddie to a neurologist who tested him and told me what I knew I would hear. I remember sitting in his office with Eddie 9 years old at the time. The doctor told Eddie you have Tourettes Syndrome chronic tic disorder that may be with you all your life or disapear just as it appeared. The doctor explained that these tics were involuntary movements and Eddie could not help but make the noises. This was the turning point for Eddie he then would explain to his friends and their parents that he had tics involuntary movements and was doing just fine. Now that Eddie has entered his teen years it is harder for him to cope with this. I see it everyday but he remains brave just as Brad . I am not giving up that someday these tics will disappear just as they appeared. I know there is going to be a cure, I refuse to believe that there isn’t. Since then I have taken my son to a social worker who helps kids cope with the tics, and a wonderful doctor who does acupuncture techniques and uses homeopathic medicines. This has helped my son tremondously. He continues to make facial tics but the vocal has stopped. Unless he is really stressed out or nervous you will hear them once in a while. Every year since the middle of third grade I have met with the teachers to explain what Eddie has. I have to say that we have been blessed with the wonderful school that has accepted Eddie and embraced him. I am very nervous about Hight School but watching this movie has given me peace of mind. Eddie will be alright and like Brad he is going to make it. The difference is that Eddie wants to be a CEO of a major company. I hope many people watched this movie stop being ignorant when it comes to deal with people who have disabilities. I have always told my son there is nothing wrong with you. Everyone has something otherwise we would all be in heaven. I continue to encourage my son along with his stepfather and stepbrother who ironicly has TS, he is in college now. May God Bless Brad Cohen and his wonderful mother who reminds me of myself. Eddie’s dad has not come to terms with Eddies TS and it is a constant battle. I had hoped that Eddie’s dad view the movie but did not. I will pray that he has a change of heart and starts seeing the great qualities that his son has, and stops thinking that Eddie won’t be a success because of the TS which he still says he does not have.

By: Angie Holman

Angie Holman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:58:00 +0000

Thank you for sharing your story. My husband has TS and it has been difficult at times for us. I hope and pray that people who watched the movie will be more tolerant to TS. Thanks for being such an incredible inspiration to all of us who had the priviledge of watching.

By: Jane Anderson

Jane Anderson — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:07:18 +0000

Brad,
Your story in the movie was wonderful. It helped me remember my first 2nd. grade class in 1967! When I taught 5th. grade we had a Tourettes student and it was quite an experience for us. We did lots of class sessions on understanding.
I have been retired 6 years and now I am Pres. of the Board of Education in my town. We have to do all we can to help the children today.
I thought the class, kids in the class, and the school atmosphere in the movie were fairly representative of education today, esp. in the Midwest.
You have much to be proud of!!!
Jane

By: Melissa Richards

Melissa Richards — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:02:23 +0000

Your story is so inspiring. I pulled my 9 year old daughter out of bed to watch it with me because I felt it was such an appropriate way for her to see how people who have disabilities or are different feel when they are treated poorly and teased. And what a difference it can make to have someone be kind and understanding to you. And also what an amazing difference your attitude can make when it comes to deal with life’s trials. I wish I had recorded it all so I could show it to my younger children. I’ve emailed Hallmark to find out if it is possible to purchase a copy. What an emotional and inspiring story.

I haven’t stopped thinking about your story since the movie ended last night. I feel a warmth and strength inside that makes me want to make the world a better place. And I am so grateful that you shared your story. I can’t stop thinking about it and I wish I knew you personally. Best wishes.

By: Barbara Herman

Barbara Herman — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:21:38 +0000

I have had Tourette’s since I was nine years old — many years ago. We didn’t know what it was then — in fact, I didn’t find out until I was about 35.

My childhood was Hell! My father constantly raged at me. The first time he saw the tics, he actually beat me up! He insisted that I was doing it “just to get attention.” The other kids ridiculed me, and I had no friends. If we had known what TS was, I think it would have been better for me.

When I was a teenager, the tics subsided somewhat, although I still have a few, which I try to mask.

Unfortunately, though, my son inherited the condition, but we found out what it was when he was about 12, and were able to understand it and inform others.

I saw the film “Front of the Class” last night, and cried throughout it. It brought back so many painful memories. But like Brad, I have overcome TS, and I think I share his drive and will to succeed. I have succeeded in many area, because I decided long ago that I could do anything I wanted if I tried hard enough.

By: RONDA DOUGLAS

RONDA DOUGLAS — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:13:18 +0000

mY SIX YEAR OLD SON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TS THIS SUMMER.WE DIDN’T NOTICE IT UNTILL WE CAME HOME FROM A WEDDING AND HE WAS ROLLING HIS EYES AND DOING RAPID EYE MOVEMENT. LOOKING BACK NOW I CAN SAY HE HAD IT SINCE ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD .HE WOULD DO ALOT OF TAPPING (EVERY THING HAD TO BE TOUCHED 3 TIMES) HE WALKS ON HIS TIPPI TOES. AND HE STARTED GRABBING HIS PRIVATE AREA ALL THE TIME. I CAN’T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES BEFORE THE EYE ROLLING I TOOK HIM TO THE DR’S AND ASKED HIM OH HE WALKS ON HIS TOES.. ANSWER ITS PROBABLY JUST HABBIT , I THOUGHT IT WAS HIS AGE HE HAD TO TOUCH EVERY THING 3 X’S. THEN I TOOK HIM TO HAVE HIM CHECKED ( AFTER I BOUGHT ALL NEW UNDERWARE ALL DIFFERENT BRANDS TO EVEN TRYING DIFFERENT SOAP POWDER) ABOUT HIM TOUCHING HIS PRIVATE AREA OH ITS PROBABLY NERVES OR HABBIT DON’T DRAW ATTENTION TO IT. 2 WEEKS LATER EYE ROLLING.I KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT IT WAS. CALLED DR SET UP APPOINTMENT FOR NUROLOGIST. . YES MILD TOURETTE SYNDROME .MY FAMILY HAS A HARD TIME ACCEPTING IT ALL THE BURDEN GOES ON ME MOM, WHICH I DON’T MIND I LOVE HIM. IT WAS VERY HARD HAVING TO DEAL WITH SCHOOL AND I ALREADY WORRY ABOUT NEXT YEAR.. BUT I TELL MY SON GOD GAVE YOU A CHALLENGE AND YOU CAN OVER COME THAT CHALLENGE,

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:27:10 +0000

My wife and I just (finally) got our 12 year old son in to see a pediatric nuerologist after seeing many, many, doctors (nuerologists and psychologists) who told us that he was fine, he’d stop doing this sooner or later, etc… Finally, a doctor at Texas Children’s Hospital told us that he meets the criteria for Tourrette Syndrome. He wrote a prescription for some medicine he says will help. We left it up to Zach to decide if he wanted to take the medicine and he said YES. He also has ADHD. We kept telling ourselves that he didn’t have TS since all the doctors had told us that he didn’t. My son is so tired of everyone asking him to stop jerking. Except for my wife and I, hardly anybody understands. How can people be so cruel to a child. The adults are worse than the kids. It took a while for us to know there was really a problem because Zach, our son would say he was doing these jerking movements because his neck was hurting and that he could stop it. Eventually it was apparant that they were involuntary. We saw the movie. We are feeling so much better now and we are so hopeful. We recorded the movie last night so that our son could watch it in hopes that he will see that he CAN do whatever he wants. He is very timid, not real outgoing. He says he wants to be a pediatric oncologist so he can help kids with cancer. I believe he can do it. I hope he does. He has such a good heart and I know he’d be great at that or teaching like you are. Thanks for sharing your story. Thank you so much!! You are a very brave person and have given us more hope than any doctor has thus far!!

By: RuthAnn Long

RuthAnn Long — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:58:28 +0000

The movie was inspiring and, Brad, keep it up! I myself have neurological problems. From what I have seen on tv (including your movie) Tourette’s Syndrom and Epilepsy are not far apart. People with Epilepsy have tics too.
WAY TO GO!

By: John Bailey

John Bailey — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:59:30 +0000

Mr. Cohen. In 1962 I started manifesting the symptoms of TS. I was 10 years old. It wasn’t until 1981 that I was diagnosed. The ensuing 19 years with the undiagnosed TS were difficult but I achieved my Master’s Degree during that time and got married to a wonderful girl (29 years ago today). It was refreshing to see your movie last night. I could so identify with your younger years. I, however, did not have such understanding teachers and classmates. I routinely suppressed my tics which made them that much worse when they did come out. I was ridicules by my classmates although never by any of my teachers. My tics were/are more physical than vocal and I was not that disruptive in class. At any rate, Once I was diagnosed, I went on medication. I have been taking Orap for more than 20 years. It helps with the day-to-day tics but as you well know stress or excitement will bring them out. The Orap has stolen my creativity to a degree. I haven’t done much painting in almost 3 decades and I find it makes me tired. But, I was so grateful for the medication initially – to be virtually tic free – that I continue it to this day. Once I retire I probably will discontinue the meds.

Currently I work as a civilian Television Editor and Producer/Director at the US Army Combat Readiness/Safety center at Fort Rucker, Alabama. I enjoy my work very much since it gives me somewhat of a creative outlet – it satisfies that need stolen by the Orap. My co-workers are great and, I think, do not notice the tics much. I am happy, now, after many years of struggle.

Again, thank you for your candor in addressing the issue of TS. I hope, because of this, more people realize that TS is not an affliction that debilitates a person’s intelligence or lust for life. Once more people become aware of TS they will be more willing to accept us as people of value.

Sincerely,
JOHN D. BAILEY