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Set your DVR’s now for an encore presentation of Front of the Class on CBS, Saturday, February 6th at 8pm (est). Please be sure to spread the word to friends and family members. This is one movie you will not want to miss. And if you have already seen it once, you know you’ll want to see it again.

If you have Tourette syndrome or you know someone who faces a challenge in life, this is a movie that could change your life. Teachers, don’t miss this movie! If you don’t believe me, that’s ok. I’m not bias. But this is my new favorite movie of all time!

If you do miss it or you’re interested in owning a copy of the DVD, you can find it in your local Hallmark store or feel free to buy an autograph copy from my website. Click here to learn more.

To learn more about the Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation, visit our new website: www.bradcohentourettefoundation.com

As always, I appreciate the support!

Cheers, Brad

Did you watch American Idol? Did you hear the news? This is what I heard over and over through facebook, emails and when I got to work the next day. Many of them wanted to make sure I had seen Dave Pittman on American Idol because they knew I would be interested.

The answer is yes, I saw American Idol and yes, I heard the news. I was really excited when I saw that Dave was being open and honest about living with Tourette syndrome. My biggest fear was that he was going to be a poor singer and the judges and America would then make Tourette syndrome the punchline of another bad joke. But then we heard him sing. The judges were into Dave as they nodded their heads up and down as they enjoyed what Dave had to offer.

But then, Doogie Howser M.D. stepped up to the plate. Like any other doctor, he recognized that Dave had a medical condition called Tourette syndrome. I was excited Doogie knew about Tourette’s. He even addressed it on air. I was proud of that too. Dave stood tall and accepted Doogie’s comments and explained he had TS. As many of us Touretter’s know, when we are concentrated on something, we don’t tic nearly as much. The judges were a little shocked by this.

The part that was disturbing was that the judges were actually surprised that a person with Tourette syndrome could actually be such a good singer and do it without the tics disrupting the performance. People with TS or any other disability live with this perception on a daily basis. People don’t believe in us and think we can’t do certain things.

I can already tell that Dave is similar to me. He will, and has already stepped up to the challenge. You see when someone tells me I can’t do something, or even if they “think” I can’t do something, it just motivates me more to prove them wrong. Dave now has the stage to show the world his own talents, while at the same time be a great role model for the millions of people who are a little different.

I guess you now know who I will be rooting for in this years American Idol competition, and I hope you will root for him too. Because we need to show people that we all have talents and when given the right opportunities, we are able to shine.

So what is the biggest shock? Is it that Doogie brought up the elephant in the room? Is it that Dave has a good voice? Could it be that a person with Tourette syndrome can find success when given a chance? Or could it be that dreams CAN come true when given a chance?

Step up to the plate America and turn your TV sets to this season’s American Idol on Fox. Let’s all hope that we can embrace Dave’s challenge and root for him because of his true talents. Vote the way you want, at least you know what I’ll be doing.

Get caught up with the latest news from the Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation by visiting www.bradcohentourettefoundation.com

Read the book or see the movie Front of the Class to learn more about Brad Cohen.

Cheers, Brad

Today, I had a little girl email me a simple question: How do you live with Tourette syndrome….with all the people saying stuff?

She went on to tell me she received the movie Front of the Class, and it was the best thing she got for Christmas.

It was just a simple reminder that kids are still figuring out the game of life. So with that, I remind everyone what has helped me overcome the challenges of living with Tourette syndrome. I hope these ideas help others move forward to follow their dreams.

1) Keep that positive attitude
2) Focus on your strengths…….show the world what makes you shine
3) Educate everyone who will listen and tell them about Tourette syndrome and the challenges you face
4) Never give up……every time someone tells you that you can’t do something, prove them wrong! Show them not only can you do it, but you can do it better than others
5) Surround yourself with people who believe in you
6) Don’t make excuses, because the first excuse will lead to another, after another, after another
7) Find your passion in life and go for it
8 Last but not least……….Don’t let Tourette syndrome win! Don’t allow any of your weaknesses in life get the best of you!

While we are talking about Tourette Syndrome, you can help support the National Tourette Syndrome Association by clicking on the link below and vote to help them win $1 million in the Chase Community Giving Contest. Spread the word. Each person gets five votes and be sure to place one with TSA. Thanks for the support!

http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/744837

Don’t forget, Front of the Class will be on CBS the evening of February 6, 2010.

You can also learn more about the Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation, Inc at www.bradcohentourettefoundation.com

Cheers, Brad

I’m excited to share two video clips with you. Camp Twitch and Shout-The Movie (a 30 minute documentary) and a 7 minute preview of what Camp Twitch and Shout is all about. They were put together by Emmett “Butch” Williams, one of my former counselors from Camp Sabra when I was growing up. Emmett spent a week with us at Camp Twitch and Shout to film what we were all about.

These movies will give you insight of what it is like to have Tourette syndrome and what we deal with on a daily basis. At the same time, it will show you why Camp Twitch and Shout needs to be supported and the difference we are making in the lives of children and adults with TS.

Camp Twitch and Shout provides an opportunity for children with Tourette syndrome to join others who are similar to themselves and just have fun for one week. Our goal, is that those memories made will stick with everyone for a lifetime. I believe these movies will show you what happened for one week and how that week changed lives forever!

This is why I have also started The Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation, Inc. To raise money to help support Camp Twitch and Shout and other camps and programs like this for children with Tourette syndrome around the country. If you are interested in making a donation, visit www.bradcohentourettefoundation.com

June 27-July 2, 2010 will be the dates for this year’s Camp Twitch and Shout, located just outside of Atlanta, GA. Applications will be ready around February 1st. We will be looking for both campers and volunteers from around the country to attend.

Enjoy the movies and as always, thanks for the support!

Cheers, Brad

THE LAUNCH OF THE BRAD COHEN TOURETTE FOUNDATION, INC.
http://classperformance.com/foundation
Now accepting donations!

It’s official, The Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation, Inc. (BCTF) is up and running. I’m honored to announce that my Foundation has been established as a non-profit 501(c)(3). Donations can me made and they will be tax deductible.

The mission of the Foundation is to help those with Tourette syndrome follow their dreams to be successful in life. I have my own vision of where I’d like to see things go over the years, but for now I’d like to focus on raising money to help children with TS so they can go to camps like Camp Twitch and Shout. I don’t want to see one person denied from camp because of financial reasons. Camp scholarships will provide a way for children to attend these types of camps. My ultimate goal is to make camp a free for all children.

This is where you can help me challenge perceptions and embrace differences! Donate now to help me with this initiative!

Visit my temporary Foundation website at:
www.classperformance.com/foundation/

or

www.bradcohentourettefoundation.com

Choose a donor level that best fits your needs. You may donate online and a tax receipt will be sent to you via email directly after the transaction, or feel free to send a check to the address listed on the website.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
As the Foundation begins to grow, we are looking for some addition help with 1) Website design and development, 2) Grant opportunities, 3) Newsletter development, 4) Fund-raising ideas and helpers to organize, 5) Database development 6) Other ideas you have that could help us out. Please Share!

I have set my goals high and I know with your support the BCTF will make a difference. I’m really excited about this new project with the Foundation. As always, I appreciate all the support from my family, friends and those of you who believe in my story.

Look us up on Facebook too! Search for the group Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation, Inc. Help me spread the word! As always, thanks in advance for your support!

Cheers, Brad

From Front of the Class to Front of the Nursery!

For all of you who have followed me over the years, I have very exciting news to report. My wife, Nancy, is pregnant! We are expecting “Baby Cohen” to arrive around March 26th. Words can not express how excited we are to start our family with children.

For so many years, I have been an educator and worked with children. It has been so rewarding. But it was also nice to return those children to their parents each night. But now I’ll have my own that I won’t need to return to someone each night. As many people keep reminding us, life is about to change. And that doesn’t scare me one bit.

I’m ready for the challenge just like I have been ready for every other challenge in my life. Nancy and I both have great role models in our parents, my brother and the many friends and family who have kids. We are ready to embrace the idea of having a child with open arms and take it one day at a time. I know Nancy will be a great mother!

Nancy and I thank you for all the support as we enter the next chapter of our lives.

Cheers
Brad

My movie would have never happened if it wasn’t for Tim Shriver, CEO for the Special Olympics. Tim is the Executive Producer of Front of the Class. We met years ago during a speaking engagement in Connecticut. Click here for a great article about when Tim Shriver and I first met at the event. Tim is a great guy and Nancy and I have really enjoyed getting to know him and his family.

I know this has been a difficult month for Tim and his family as he lost both his mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and his uncle, Ted Kennedy. Eunice was a pioneer in her own right as she was not only the sister to President John F Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Ted Kennedy but also the founder of the Special Olympics. Although many people knew her as the wife of Sargent Shriver, founder of the Peace Corp, Eunice did so much for this country and people as a whole. She stepped out into the world and told people it was ok to be different. We will no longer lock people up and hide them away if they are different. We will now appreciate differences and focus on one’s strengths, not their weaknesses. What started out a Camp Shriver in her backyard, eventually because what is now known as the Special Olympics which makes a difference for so many people.

Ted Kennedy made a difference also. It doesn’t matter what political background you come from, you must respect Ted for his passion and always believing in our country. The legacy he leaves behind is one that many Congressman live for.

It is on this day that I thank them for being the people they were…..people of passion and compassion for people who were a little different. And I think about Tim and his family during these tough times.

Feel free to share how people like Eunice Kennedy Shriver and Ted Kennedy have impacted your life in some way on my BLOG.

Cheers
Brad

Be sure to check out both the video above and the article link below on Camp Twitch and Shout and Brad Cohen. Again, we see that despite a child having Tourette Syndrome, they can still find success!

You can READ THE RELATED CNN STORY BY CLICKING HERE and learning more about the camp!

Also check out www.camptwitchandshout.com to learn more. We will be having this camp again during the summer of 2010. Dates have not been announced yet.

You can always find Brad’s book and movie Front of the Class to use as a resource in your homes and schools. Call your local libraries and tell them to order them now for your community.

Cheers
Brad

As we celebrate July 4th in the United States and think about our freedoms, it made me think about people I have been hearing from. Some have Tourette Syndrome, others have disabilities or weaknesses in life that cause challenges to them daily. Some of these challenges others notice while some are challenges that are on the inside.

How can we use our freedoms to help our situations?

1) Freedom of Speech:
I have always believed in being up front and honest about living with Tourette Syndrome. I have learned that educating others about why I make funny noises and weird faces makes my life easier and eases their concerns about why I’m doing what I do.

The hardest thing about living with TS is ignorance. It is the people that don’t know and don’t want to know about TS that make my life difficult. But once people know, then they can make the decision about how they want to handle the situation.

There are many movies and books like Front of the Class that can help children articulate to others about their situation.

How will you use your freedom of speech?

2) Freedom of the Press
In my life, the press has often been a vehicle to share my story. Yes, we know about the book and movie, but also in the form of newspapers, magazines, newsletters, Internet websites, news shows on TV and others. If it was my story or someone else’s story, education was happening. It is important to share both educational pieces as well as success stories. People need to know that they are not alone. The press and Internet has helped us in our cause.

How can you use the press to help share your story?

3) Freedom of Choice
It is important for you to choose successful situations. It may be a school, groups of friends, religious activities, or where to live. Success breeds success. So please put yourself in a win-win situation to help you and your family move forward.

What will your next choice be?

4) Freedom of Opportunity
Always remember that hope is your friend. Know you are not alone. Understand that there are others out there that are dealing with or having dealt with your situation before. Find the support you need in them.

Give yourself a chance to try new things and enjoy the things you have always done. Once you’ve figured that out, then excel at it. Celebrate your success. Then share that success with others as you pay it forward. Give others the same opportunities you have been given and the feelings you will receive can never be replaced.

What opportunities are you ready to embrace?

As Martin Luther King said “Let Freedom Ring!” I add to that “Let Freedom Ring Loud and Proud!”

Cheers
Brad

Camp Twitch and Shout and Brad were featured on CNN on June 13, 2009.

Learn more about Camp Twitch and Shout at www.camptwitchandshout.com

Cheers, Brad