One Could Only Imagine
One imagines the future when one is hopeful.
Sometimes one can only try to imagine just one day ahead.
Still other times, even imagining any future brings feelings of defeat and exhaustion.
As the parent of a son with Tourette, Tracy Lederman has felt all these emotions and more, sometimes concurrently. The Lederman story is one that many parents of children with Tourette can relate to; and their journey provides hope, inspiration, and even imagination for other families.
Tracy and her husband are the parents of Ethan, now 25. In the Fall of 2025, after graduating from TCNJ, he moved out of his parents’ home to live independently and is enrolled in a bank training program in Weehawken. Ethan is also managing his Tourette symptoms. As Tracy describes, “We never imagined this! We are so, so grateful for every day.”
The Lederman’s journey was chronicled in a recent NJCTS appeal and can be found here. It includes a description of his early symptoms, “His tics started when he was three, and he would drop to his knees after every few steps he took. He dropped to his knees hundreds of times a day, and when he began jumping in the air and landing on his knees, we put knee pads on him.”
Contrasting the 3-year-old Ethan with his 25-year-old self, one can imagine the painful circuitous journey they experienced as a family: two hospitalizations at one of the only in-patient treatment facilities in the country for children with OCD; relentless bullying in school; all-consuming compulsions, and a chaotic home life.
While there was no distinct turning point, there were profound benchmarks along the way. As parents, Tracy and Jeff, devised new and different knee pads, albeit symbolic ones, to cushion Ethan and provide an opportunity for next steps.
They learned of NJCTS when Ethan was seven and he started therapy at the TS Clinic at Rutgers where there was a “sliding scale even then for paying for therapy.” They credit NJCTS with providing support, guidance, and encouragement for tough decisions. “Hospitalizing Ethan only happened because Faith Rice told me I needed to consider it. Guidance on next steps wouldn’t have existed anywhere else.” Countless examples of support (networking, access to doctors, education), have inspired boundless gratitude from the Lederman family.
“Whatever NJCTS asks us, we will do. The years, the tunnel of darkness we would have known….We are just so grateful, we want to continue to pay back.”
Likewise for Ethan. Tracy explains, “He feels that NJCTS has empowered him to know that he has something to offer. We have never allowed him to become complacent and ungrateful.” Ethan reached out to NJCTS to offer his assistance, resulting in his participation in speaking engagements, including a panel with young adults with Tourette.
“NJCTS helps parents in visible and invisible ways.” Referring to research and testifying for funding at the State house, “they do things that make our lives easier in the outside world. Parents don’t see it, but it benefits them in the long run. They are there for us every day.”
Imagine the power of gratitude to amplify the impact of NJCTS. Tracy views this gratitude as something quite natural, “If they (NJCTS) have been there even once for a family, the family has gratitude.”
For the Ledermans, their NJCTS partnership is not over. “Tourette is genetic, so one could imagine that they will still be there for me and maybe my grandchildren.”
All families recall the vital role that NJCTS has played in their family’s life. Among the many ways the Ledermans give back is their consistent support NJCTS with their donations, whether it be the annual fund, the gala, or through proud members of the One of the GreaTS giving circle.
As generations cycle through NJCTS, the need grows for deeper engagement, stronger partnerships, and greater philanthropic support.