I can relate

We just finished watching this Hallmark movie. I have never had to deal with Tourettes Syndrome but I could see lots of similarities to what we are dealing with at home. No young boy wants to bring attention to themselves by making strange noises or crying all the time. So the "he could stop if he wants to/only trying to get attention" is totally absurd. If people would just take a moment to think, they would realize how ridiculous they sound. I have seen the anger he felt in the scene sitting in the car after being treated very badly. It is overwhelming when you want to stop and the wanting just makes it all worse. You need the support of your family but you don't want them to see you like that. Don't want them to see you out of control. Angry one minute saying "you do things just to hurt me, don't care at all how I feel" . How horrible, mean and heartless you are. Lashes out at those around that love you. The next minute is filled with sobbing "I didn't mean it, I'm sorry, I don't know why I say things like that. Every morning before school is so hard. So hard for him to face. Hard for me to hear the despair in his voice and see how panicked he becomes. It goes against all motherly instinct to do what I have to do every morning. I have to send an angry, sobbing, terrified child to school everyday. Instead of keeping him home where he feels safe and relaxed. Where he can see me and know that everything is fine.
It was really hard for him to go back after Thanksgiving break. This past week was really awful for everyone. I am so very worried about how it will be when he is off school during Christmas break.



Alex is modeling a hat I knit for a homeless shelter for teens in California. My goal is to knit one or two hats a month and have a big box to send next fall.

I love seeing him look so happy.