Wow. A young college grad, Marc Elliot, with Tourette’s Syndrome did a YouTube video showing what it’s like to have Tourette’s, including walking around in public and having people look at him funny on the street, or being asked by security at the library if he can please stop doing it “because you’re scaring people.” And the camera is in the background catching it all.
Just wow.
He talks about how in the airport he couldn’t stop saying “ticking bomb.” He talks about bringing a washcloth to a movie or a play and stuff the washcloth in his mouth to muffle the noises.
Marc Elliot just graduated from Washington University and has a complex form of Tourette’s syndrome. He makes sounds and says words that he cannot control. Now 23, he is now inspiring audiences across the country by sharing his life story in order to convey the value of tolerance and the basic mental attitudes and behaviors that allow it to flourish. This documentary attempts to give the audience an inside look at how people react to others who are different and Marc’s day to day life. In addition, Marc details the progression of his Tourette’s with personal anecdotes.
John Aravosis @aravosis | Facebook | Google+. Editor of AMERICAblog, joint JD/MSFS from Georgetown, worked in the US Senate, World Bank, Children's Defense Fund, and as a stringer for the Economist. A frequent TV pundit, he has been on The O'Reilly Factor, Hardball, World News Tonight, Nightline & Reliable Sources. Full bio and article archive.
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When I was in high school, our school librarian had tourettes. I never heard him vocalizing, but he certainly had tics and spasms. He also typed something like 200 words/minute…
AnitaMann
I wonder if there are meds/therapy that can minimize TS. Would it have been, pre-Obamacare, a pre-existing condition?
FunMe
He’s gorgeous not only in looks but in personality. What a cool guy! And so respectful.
ckoehler1904
I saw Marc when he was in High School in St. Louis – a remarkable young man with an important message for all of us. The very best of wishes to him and the work that he is doing.
Hatfield
Yes, he’s quite cute, hot, really as is his brother, who also is in the video. Apparently, he is over his Tourette’s, as he says:
Not sure what “human potential” courses are. Sounds like TM or something, but, hey, if it works, that’s great.
http://AMERICAblog.com/ John Aravosis
Just read it. Agree. That sounds like something a friend got into years ago, it destroyed him – but perhaps this is different. And if it worked, more power to him – I can’t imagine going through life with that.
Hatfield
Yes, but, just think that “human potential” courses (for money, apparently lots of it) is a bit weird. Unfortunately overshadows his real story which is of course amazing. Obviously, were I in his situation…well, any life jacket when drowning.
emjayay
That was probably est or one of its offshoots. A bizarre mass self delusion. Kind of like if a lot of people became total Scientologists over a weekend. Eventually it wore off most of them I guess. I have no idea how they explain it. Probably mostly try to never mention it.
Hatfield
Yes, doubtless one of them. But the odd thing is, he is apparently, in my view, too ashamed to mention it. Why not proclaim it in big headlines? OMG I would, if I had some long-term affliction without any cure and somehow I found something that even marginally helped it. I would be yelling its praises everywhere. SO talking in vague phrases makes me think he is embarrassed and ashamed for some reason.
http://www.ryanstake.net RyansTake
Note the fact that there’s no talk about professional scientists involved in the program or anything like that. Sounds very fishy to me.
Miracle cures for desperate people that costs a small fortune? This stuff has been going on for eons and almost without exception is nothing but a scam.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-L-Greenlee/1269130691 James L. Greenlee
I guess if you have to have an affliction, you might as well be gorgeous. Hopefully, he’ll one day find a way to suppress it. Looks like it would be painful (and damaging) to his teeth.
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Marc Elliot just graduated from Washington University and has a complex form of Tourette’s syndrome. He makes sounds and says words that he cannot control. Now 23, he is now inspiring audiences across the country by sharing his life story in order to convey the value of tolerance and the basic mental attitudes and behaviors that allow it to flourish. This documentary attempts to give the audience an inside look at how people react to others who are different and Marc’s day to day life. In addition, Marc details the progression of his Tourette’s with personal anecdotes.
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