Laura's Life!

It Tics Me Off!!

A poem I wrote to share my feelings. I am writing quite a lot lately but don't usually share but here goes

It Tics Me Off

The tics are there everyday
I wish and wish they'd go away
Random words in my head
I try to hold on but they have to be said
Slowly they start, deep from within
A blink here and there, its hard to give in
Twitching, jerking, shouting, I really dislike!
Is it "Big Box" or my good friend "Mike"!

Congratulations Carly

Laurence and I are very proud parents as this week we heard that our eldest daughter Carly had obtained a 2:1 degree. Fantastic Carls...we love you very much and can't wait to have you home (did I really say that!)

Life's a Twitch

I have decided to write about this now and not hide it away. I noticed some eyeblinking and twitching as far back as last April/May but chose to ignore it. I had always had weird ways and small tics, most of which I have been able to hide from people over the years. I did not take much notice but around the same time came my excess energy and hyperactivity (all this had always been present but now this was getting worse) My heart was beating faster and all I wanted to do was exercise to calm me down.

Over the past few months my tics and twitches have got worse and now I make noises as well. I have a shoulder shrug, blinking, grunting and random words like "bike" "box"

I am now under a consultant neurologist and have obviously been diagnosed with a neurological tic disorder. If I was under 18 this would be called Tourettes Syndrome or TS. However as I am an adult it remains unamed although over the last few years there have been many mores cases of adult onset Tourettes. It could also be a result of a nasty strep throat infection I may have had as a child. Whatever, it is irrelevant as I struggle cope with this condition.

I have the most wonderful friends around me who are accepting (and probably used to me being quirky). I also have a wonderul family...but going out to restaurants, cinema and theatre can be daunting and nerve racking.

My job as a teacher bizzarly is the least worrying, well the working with children bit. The children are so accepting but I do worry what the parents may think and would reslish the opportunity to be open and honest.

I have over the last three days been reading a book by Brad Cohen, a teacher in Atlanta, Georgia who suffers from TS. He has inspired and empowerd me to be who I am and to be proud of it.

He says he explains the disorder to the children by saying that there is something in his brain that causes him to make weird noises and funny faces. He then asks them if there is something in their brains they can't control. He talks about blinking and the children then seem to have some understanding.

The difference is that Brad has suffered from 12 years old and I have started at 45. Luckily have confidences that I have acquired over the years.

Oh yes and the misconception that all TS sufferers swear! Only 10% of TS sufferers do!

The book Front of the Class has been made into a Hallmark movie

Here is Brad giving one of his motivational speeches.

Anyway I will continue to cope with humour...quite fancy one of Brad's "Twitch and Shout" Camps...would be fun!!

Race for Life

For the last few months I have been running around Loughton in an aim to expell my excess energy and to keep fit. I have been joined by my friend and next door neighbour Melodie. We have decided to put our efforts to good use and have now entered The Race for Life (Cancer Research UK) on 15th July at Norht Weald Airfield.

You are able to sponsor us online by clicking on the link below. Thank you

December update

I have noticed that I have negelcted my blog since October half term so I will attempt an update... to include happenings, thoughts, feelings and ideas!!

Firstly daddy is now undergoing hormone treatment for his prostate cancer and with all the positive attitude from himself and all of us around he seems to be making good progress.

In November the big milestone was Carly's 21st birthday....I cannot believe that 21 years have past. We made a party for her at home, to which she bought 12 student friends who all stayed the night.

Carly, you drive me nuts, but I love you to the moon and back and wish you happiness always.

Joelle turned 19 in December and is now home until the end of January. Jaimie is pleased that her sisters are around for a while.

I have been full of energy...sometimes too much which is now being monitored. I try to expell it by running and going to the gym... but most of the time I drive everyone mad!! I need to find an inner calm!

I did do something a bit radical... I had a tattoo done. This was not a whim it has a spirtual meaning behind it....most of which is private but mainly it is about myself , Laurence and our children who mean a lot to me.

The design is an interlocking Star of David to show that we are entwined. The three girls are on one triangle showing their hebrew initials and Laurence, Nick and I are on the other triangle. The middle of the star reads "mispucha" "family".

I obviously haven't had all good reviews about this but I am happy to have been "inked". It is in a place that will not be seen publicly.

Laurence's mum Toni has been in hospital for a couple of weeks now and remains confused. We think that she will have to go into a home and know this is going to upset her.

We have just had a great Christmas and a houseful of American girls that Carly met at camp.

I am blessed with a loving family and I am also blessed with wonderful friends. As I wrote in October some old freinds who are always there for me and some lovely wonderful new friends of whom I think the world of. (You know who you are) :)